Beech Tree News Network

At its November 30, 2011 meeting, the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance unanimously re-elected Craig C. Dilger to serve as its Chairman, marking an unprecedented fifth consecutive term for the Louisville attorney. Registry member David R. Martin was re-elected as Vice-Chairman. 

Martin was elected to serve five (5) terms as Butler County Judge Executive, and then retired to accept the position of Executive Director of the Kentucky County Judge Executives Association, serving from 2000 to 2003 in that capacity.
Mr. Martin served on several boards during his tenure as Butler County Judge Executive, and continues to serve on the Barren River Area Development Board and is a member of the Kentucky Public Health Association.  The Leslie Knott Letcher Perry Community Action Council currently employs him in the Transportation Division for Community Relations.  Mr. Martin was first appointed to the Registry by Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Crit Luallen in December 2005, and re-appointed to the Registry by Auditor Luallen in August of 2009.

Dilger, a republican, was first appointed to the Registry by former Governor Fletcher from names submitted by organizations demonstrating a nonpartisan interest in fair elections and informed voting.  He was re-appointed to the Registry by Governor Beshear on October 29, 2008.  He previously served two consecutive terms as Vice-Chair of the Registry.
Following his re-election, Dilger said, “It is a distinct honor that my colleagues have elected me to serve a fifth term as Chairman of the Registry.  We have an important role in the democratic process, and my leadership will continue to emphasize transparency in election finance.  I am committed to increasing the number of candidates who electronically file their campaign finance reports.  Our website is one of the best in state government, and the online searchable database is frequently visited by the public – the public demands, and deserves, immediate disclosure.  It has been an honor to serve this agency and to lead our efforts to ensure transparency in election finance.  I am looking forward to the coming year and to continuing our efforts to make the Registry open and responsive to all candidates, treasurers, and the public.”
Dilger is a Louisville native, is a graduate of Bellarmine University and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law.  He is a member of the Labor and Employment and Business Litigation Practice Groups at Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC.  He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Prior to joining Stoll Keenon Ogden in 2001, Dilger served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Jefferson County.  During his tenure as a prosecutor, Dilger served as the Assistant Division Chief for the General Trial Unit, Assistant Division Chief for the Unified Special Prosecutions Unit and Division Chief for the White Collar Crime Unit.
Dilger is a member of the American, Kentucky and Louisville Bar Associations, and a member of the American Inn of Court, Brandeis Chapter.  He was recognized in March 2006 by Louisville Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under Age 40 – “Pick of the Judges.”  His numerous other honors and awards include being name a Business First 40 Under 40 Honoree of 2003, and receiving the Jefferson County Police Service to Law Enforcement Award in 2001, the Louisville Division of Police Special Service and Dedication Award in 2001, and the Louisville Division of Fire Special Recognition Award in 1999.

The Registry is charged with administering Kentucky’s campaign finance laws, including those relating to all candidates who are running for election in 2012.  Kentucky law requires the disclosure by a candidate of contributions to and expenditures by the campaign.