Jefferson County Judge-Executive Files for District 8 Race

Jefferson County Judge-Executive Bryan Matthews is running for the Louisville Metro Council District 8 seat.The 28-year-old Democrat will face incumbent Tom Owen and Louisville Grows founder Mason Roberts in a three-way primary. Community activist Curtis Morrison was the first to challenge Owen, but he dropped out of the race Tuesday afternoon to run against state Sen. Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville, in the May primary.Matthews has been critical of Owen's leadership and say his recent disapproval of Mayor Greg Fischer over garbage collection isn't genuine. Last month, Owen criticized the mayor's decision to changes pickup schedules and routes as a cost-saving measure."Like a lot of politicians Tom has come out on some issues now that he's drawn some opponents," says Matthews. "I think that it's strange that thousands of us in the district had been notified one way or the other, but the councilman didn't know until after it was a problem and people were taking to the streets on the issue."Owen says he came out against the idea immediately after he saw the route and collection date changes in December, because they have negative effects in District 8.