Maze and his running mate, Jonathan Miller, dropped out of the 2007 governor's race to support the Beshear-Mongiardo ticket so today's appointment by Beshear would appear to be, in part, a political payback.

Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson will now appoint an attorney to fill the remainder of the County Attorney's term, which ends in 2010.
And it appears the governor and Abramson may have conspired to make sure Abramson's choice for County Attorney didn't have to face a special election this November. Here's how: The filing deadline for the November election was Tuesday. If Beshear had moved Maze before Tuesday, there would have been a special election in November to fill the remainder of Maze's term. Instead, Beshear waited until after the filing deadline, effectively allowing Abramson's choice to dodge an election and serve as County Attorney until the end of 2010. The hot name in political circles is Michael O'Connell. though O'Connell is currently one of the attornies targeted in a lawsuit filed by Jewish Hospital. That lawsuit alleges O'Connell and another Louisville attorney filed frivolous lawsuits and maliciously prosecuted infection cases against the hospital.

The head of Jefferson County's GOP released this statement on the appointment:

Louisville - Two days after the filing deadline, Gov. Steve Beshear appointed Jefferson County Attorney Irv Maze the next Circuit Judge of the 30th Judicial District, Division 10. Since the appointment was delayed beyond the August 12th deadline, Mayor Abramson under county law will appoint the next County Attorney without a vote from the people.

"There is no doubt this was orchestrated by the Abramson and Beshear administrations and is another example of Mayor Abramson going over the heads of the voters so that he can place his cronies into office," said JCRP Chairman Brad Cummings. "When given the option of either allowing the people to choose or making decisions behind close doors, Jerry always goes with his own self interest. And of course, given his recent track record in staffing important positions, the citizens of Metro Louisville can be assured the next County Attorney will enjoy at least a Kimberly Bunton-like success."

Although there is nothing in the law that says this appointment could not be delayed, there is plenty of evidence to prove that this has been part of the public discourse for several months. In an article dated June 9th, local journalist Rick Redding reported that 'Gov. Beshear is likely to choose a replacement for Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Montano in the next few weeks and the name that tops his list of choices is Jefferson County Attorney Irv Maze.'

"Mayor Abramson could have pushed for this appointment to be made so that the people could have their say," said Cummings. "But Jerry would rather add the County Attorney's office to his list of Metro Government puppets. The bottom line is that when it comes to the democratic process, Mayor Abramson is anti-choice."

Here's the governor's office release on Maze's appointment:

Governor Beshear Appoints Circuit Judge for the 30th Judicial District, Division 10

FRANKFORT, Ky. (August 14, 2008) - Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has appointed the Honorable Irvin G. Maze to the office of Circuit Judge for the 30th Judicial District, Division 10, Jefferson County.

Maze, of Louisville, is currently serving his third term as Jefferson County Attorney. He graduated from Indiana University in 1972 and University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in 1975. He and his wife Peggy have five children.