Reported by: Feoshia Henderson
Web produced by: Jessica Noll
This year’s battle for Kenton County’s 23rd state senate seat is a rematch between incumbent Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Crescent Springs, and Democrat Kathy Groob, of Fort Mitchell.
This race is shaping up to be one of the state’s most dynamic in this heavily conservative-voting district. It’s the state’s most expensive state legislative race, with the latest campaign finance reports showing the candidates raising a combined $355,930 so far.
Groob, a businesswoman, has outraised Westwood, a retired educator, $193,842, to $162,807. But Westwood has more than $100,000 currently in hand, while Groob has just $7,214 on hand.
Both campaigns are running commercials on Cincinnati television, unusual for state legislative races because the media market is so expensive.
As in their 2004 contest, heavy-hitting party leaders on both sides are rallying for the candidates. Among others, Gov. Steve Beshear has hosted a fund-raiser for Groob, and Republican Minority Leader U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, also up for re-election, has campaigned alongside Westwood.
In 2004, Westwood upped Groob with 53.3 percent of the vote to her 46.7 percent.
The latest voter registration statistics show Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in the 23rd District, with 41,501 registered as Democrats and 36,304 registered Republicans. Still, this is a district that has voted Republican in the past several election cycles. In 2004, the district voted overwhelming for President Bush and U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Southgate.
Sen. Jack Westwood, 64, was first elected in 1996, at a time when the region was trending Republican after decades of electing Democrats. He’s seeking his fourth four-year term. The married father of four taught English and journalism at Lloyd High School in Erlanger for nearly three decades before retiring in 1993. He is also a former Erlanger-Elsmere school board member.
Westwood said he top three issues are “expanding economic development with skilled employees and job opportunities, promoting high quality education and strengthening families by safeguarding traditional values.”
His experience in representing the district in Frankfort and in his understanding of economic development matters makes him the most qualified candidate, he said.
“I would better represent the district because of my 12 years of experience and chairmanships in the State Senate. I have a proven track record of bringing back economic development projects to Northern Kentucky, like the NKU Arena and the additions to Gateway College,” Westwood said.
Kathy Groob, 51, recently retired as a former vice president with Hemmer Co’s in Fort Mitchell, and has a background in public relations and market research. She was the chair of the Kenton County Democrats between state Senate runs. The married mother of three is also a former Fort Mitchell city councilwoman.
Groob’s top three issues are increasing education funding, attracting good paying jobs and making healthcare insurance more affordable, especially small businesses.
She says she’ll best represent the district and criticized Westwood for being ineffective, a charge he has continually refuted.
“I think he has become a classic politician, in a bad way. He’s more concerned with staying elected and helping party leaders than listening to the people,” she said.
Groob supports casino gaming in Kentucky as a revenue generator for education funding.
“I am a strong supporter and will lead on that issue and take an active role in getting it on the ballot,” she said.
Westwood, who previously has been a strong opponent of casino, now says he’s considering supporting it after talking to constituents who have asked him to reconsider.
Get more information:
Sen. Jack Westwood
JackWestwood.com
Kathy Groob
KathyGroob.com
