December 1, 2022 (Frankfort, KY) by Don Thrasher, Chief Political Editor
In a suprising announcement today Onye Jindu Oleka, a left leaning Republican who some view as radical on his social justice positions, announced he is running for KY State Treasurer. Oleka who sometimes goes by O.J. released his announcement today with a video sent out to media and local Republican parties in Kentucky.
Oleka is a member of the US Human Rights Commission and co-founded Anti-Racism Kentucky. Anti-Racism Kentucky has been criticized by conservatives for attempting to end "white privilege" and "generational wealth". He says he was inspired to start Anti-Racism Kentucky by the Black Lives Matter movement.
As a lobbyist Oleka has been trying to get a requirement that "implicit bias" training for all Kentucky educators be the law. With many Kentucky Republicans opposed to progressive ideas in education with some branding it "Critical Race Theory" many political insiders think Oleka has an uphill battle in front of him.
Critics of Oleka pointed today to his deletion of most of his Twitter posts just prior to his announcement to run. Longtime conservative critics of Oleka have re-posted his controversial tweets. Back in 2016 he posted: "For the record. I think Trump could beat Clinton, but I don't want him to".
In another tweet six days later Oleka called Trump "Trash".
Oleka was a proponent of removing confederate statues from the KY State Capital which will surely be brought up by his opponents. Black Lives Matter allies of Oleka are proud that he is running for office and took to social media to proclaim their support.
Oleka's opponent in the Republican primary in May of 2023 is Andrew Cooperrider, the staunch conservative that fought Governor Andy Beshear's lock down orders as a business owner. Cooperrider is seen by many to be the favorite in the race.
Comments / 5