Kentucky lieutenant governor bound for White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is appointing Kentucky’s lieutenant governor as his liaison to state and local governments.

Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson has experience at both levels. Abramson is known as Louisville’s "Mayor for Life" after serving 21 years — the longest tenure in the city’s history.

Democratic Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear chose Abramson as his running mate when running for re-election in 2011. Beshear will have to appoint a replacement with Abramson’s move to the White House.

One of Abramson’s duties will be to help coordinate with states on the upcoming second open enrollment under Obama’s health care law. Abramson brings unique experience as chair of Kentucky’s health care initiative. Kentucky was an Obamacare success story, with more than 400,000 people signing up under the state’s health insurance exchange.

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