For Release: Dec. 18, 2006
Renee speaks with outgoing Lexington mayor Teresa Isaac about her term in office and her plans for the future on the next edition of Connections with Renee Shaw, airing Saturday, Jan. 13 at 3/2 p.m. CT on KET1 and Sunday, Jan. 21 at 11:30/10:30 a.m. CT on KET2.Isaac, who was elected in 2002, lost her bid for re-election in November to Jim Newberry. In this interview, Renee provides Isaac with an "exit interview," delving into what she sees as her accomplishments--from improving pay and pension for police and firefighters to fostering better relations among different ethnic groups.
Isaac also discusses her personal goals and what led her into politics. A second generation Arab-American whose father was the son of Lebanese immigrants and mayor of Cumberland in Harlan County, Isaac says diversity has always been a prominent theme in her life. Prior to serving as mayor, she was a member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, as well as practiced civil rights law.
Looking toward the future, Isaac says she is interested in running for statewide office, possibly that of state treasurer. Isaac, who ran for the U.S. House in 1998, said she'd like to repeat her bid for Congress, noting that she'd have done so if current 6th District U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler had made a run for governor in 2007.
Connections with Renee Shaw is a KET production, produced by Renee Shaw and Carolyn Gwinn. More about KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.