Author: Alex Reynolds

Alex Reynolds is an undergraduate student at the University of Louisville studying Political Science and History. Alex serves as the Student Government Association Services Vice President and Legislative Assistant to Louisville Metro Councilman Khalil Batshon.
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Black History Month, Louisville

Kentucky’s First Black State Legislator

Upon his swearing in at the beginning of the Kentucky General Assembly session in 1936, Anderson recognized his dual roles of serving the people of Louisville while also serving the Black community as a watchdog against discriminatory legislation and practices. Anderson was a crusader against segregation and racial discrimination, but he was also a pragmatist that recognized the politics and racial tolerance of Kentucky at the time. This allowed him to make several substantial legislative accomplishments during his tenure in office. Continue reading Kentucky’s First Black State Legislator

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Black History Month, Kentucky, Louisville

Rediscovering Local Legends: Louisville’s First Black Council Members

Local government leaders hardly ever garner the attention or acclaim held by federal or even state government leaders. The level of government that is closest to the people and whose decisions tend to have the most immediate impact on the community is frequently underappreciated. I got my start in politics as a sophomore in high school working as an intern for the former Mayor of … Continue reading Rediscovering Local Legends: Louisville’s First Black Council Members

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Freedom Fall 2022, Kentucky, Louisville

Felon Re-Enfranchisement: Balancing the Needs of Strong Law Enforcement and Fair Justice Systems

Too often, political issues are depicted as a choice between two extremes. If you support criminal justice reform, you’re soft on crime. If you support strong law enforcement, you’re a proponent of mass incarceration. The disenfranchisement of former felons’ voting rights has long been stuck in this frustrating type of political conflict. I’ve written on the subject of criminal justice before. The issue of felon … Continue reading Felon Re-Enfranchisement: Balancing the Needs of Strong Law Enforcement and Fair Justice Systems

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US

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission: Corporations and Fundamental Political Speech

The Louisville Political Review looks at monumental court cases that have defined the political sphere. Today we examine Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and its societal impact on civil liberties. The Supreme Court of the United States is an often misunderstood institution of our government. Their contentious decisions tend to be even more misunderstood by the public. These misunderstandings can be due to the … Continue reading Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission: Corporations and Fundamental Political Speech

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Black History Month, US

From Cotton to Congress: The Remarkable Rise and Careers of the First Black Congressmen

As a congressional intern with a passion for U.S. history and virtually unrestricted access to the entirety of the U.S. Capitol Building, I took every chance I could get to leave my office and explore. Unfortunate circumstances, both COVID-19 and the January 6th riot, left the great halls of Congress closed off to the public and largely empty. Whereas just a few years ago I … Continue reading From Cotton to Congress: The Remarkable Rise and Careers of the First Black Congressmen

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Kentucky

Take a Chance on Betting in the Bluegrass State

The Kentucky Derby is known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports”. The mint juleps, derby hats, firework shows, and of course the main race itself all contribute to this excitement, but the real thrill for many is found in betting on the race. Horse racing and the wagers placed on it not only define Kentucky culture, but also provide a powerful engine of … Continue reading Take a Chance on Betting in the Bluegrass State

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US

McConnell’s Long Game and the Fight for the Supreme Court

“Winners make policy and losers go home,” declares Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in his memoir, The Long Game. This quote gives insight into the formulation of McConnell’s political strategy focused on advancing the conservative agenda. The strategy entails making strong decisions – even when unpopular – to benefit election outcomes and the future of conservative policy. With the passing of liberal Supreme Court … Continue reading McConnell’s Long Game and the Fight for the Supreme Court

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Kentucky, US

The Bridge to Better Infrastructure

Over 2.2 million people across the three states of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio are encompassed in what is known as “Greater Cincinnati.” This surrounding tri-state area not only shares close proximity to Cincinnati, Ohio, but also a robust economy, rich culture, and love of Cincinnati sports and chili. I was born and raised in Northern Kentucky (NKY), a largely suburban area with a strong connection … Continue reading The Bridge to Better Infrastructure

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