A prominent Kentucky Democrat says it’s time for the Jefferson Davis statue in the State Capitol rotunda to go – and he has an idea who should replace him.
A likeness of the President of the Confederacy has stood alongside Abraham Lincoln, Alben Barkley, Sen. Henry Clay, and surgeon Ephraim McDowell for decades, but former Kentucky Treasurer Jonathan Miller has started a petition to replace the marble statue.
"To me, having the Davis statue really is adding insult to injury. It really is rubbing salt on an old wound," he tells WDRB-TV.
Miller argues the space would be put to better use honoring legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.
"He has been the most influential person out of Kentucky in the 20th century," he adds.
Despite some controversy over the idea, Miller hopes to eventually pass the petition along to Kentucky lawmakers.
But WDRB reports the move could be a non-starter because of rules adopted by the state Historic Properties Advisory Commission that call for the sculptures to remain in place in order to maintain the structural integrity of the Capitol building.
