Gippy Graham

Harry "Gippy" Graham (born February 14, 1929) is an American politician and former Mayor of Frankfort, Kentucky. Graham was sworn into office on December 11, 2008.[2]

Graham was born on February 14, 1929.[3] He is a retired member of the United States Air Force.[3]

Graham served in Kentucky House of Representatives for four-consecutive terms from 1994 until 2002.[4] His resume also includes sixteen years with the Kentucky Department of Education and a stint as an administrative assistant for the Department of Highways earlier in his career.[4] He has also served as a Frankfort city commissioner.[5]

In 2003, Graham ran for Secretary of State of Kentucky, but lost to Russ Maple in the Democratic primary election.[4]

Incumbent Frankfort Mayor Bill May was prohibited from seeking a four-consecutive term in 2008 due to term limits.[4] Graham became the first person to enter the race to succeed May, announcing his candidacy on November 9, 2007.[4] Graham defeated opponent Lynn Bowers, a city commissioner, in the Frankfort mayoral election in November 2008.

Graham declined to seek re-election in 2012 after one, four-year term.[5] Graham told The State Journal newspaper on January 25, 2012, ""I have no intentions of re-filing for election. I've known for sometime I'm not going to run...The people of Franklin County have always been good to me. Anytime I've been on the ballot, I've received the highest number of votes and I've served the best way I know how."[5] The election to succeed him will be held in November 2012.