Saturday, November 06, 1999
Democrat announces run against Westwood
Party sees opportunity to regain seat
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL — Democrat Jaimie Henson has a lot in common with Jack Westwood, the Erlanger Republican she wants to knock out of the Kentucky state Senate next year.
Ms. Henson, an Independence flight attendant who announced Friday she will run against Mr. Westwood in the 2000 election, is not well known in Kenton County; she is running against an incumbent; and her only political experience is serving two years on Independence city council.
Four years ago Mr. Westwood, an Erlanger educator, was in much the same position. He was hardly known and politically inexperienced, having served briefly on the Erlanger-Elsmere Board of Education. But he pulled off a stunning upset in defeating long-time Democrat Joe Meyer of Covington.
Ms. Henson said Friday she hopes to give Mr. Westwood the same treatment he gave Mr. Meyer in the 1996 election.
“We need somebody who can go to Frankfort and be effective and fight to get back the tax dollars that we expect from down there,” she said.
“The bottom line for me is that we should expect more from our public officials than we've been getting in the last three years from our state senator,” she said.
Ms. Henson took some shots at Mr. Westwood's per formance in the General Assembly, including when he admitted he hadn't fully read a bill on pay raises for county officials before voting on it; and how he refused to cast a vote on a health care bill despite being supported by the medical community in his 1996 campaign.
“We need somebody who will read bills before voting for them,” she said. “We need somebody who won't be afraid to vote on a bill because of fear from a backlash from an interest group.”
Ms. Henson said her priorities in Frankfort will include education, including school safety; improving safety in communities; providing programs and assistance to senior citizens; and securing more money for infrastructure and roads in Kenton County.
Ms. Henson also said she is opposed to abortion and will support and advocate legislation designed to reduce abortions.
“We're going to have a well-organized, well-funded campaign,” said Nathan Smith, Ms. Henson's campaign manager.
Mr. Westwood, however, has already raised about $30,000 for his re-election campaign.
Fourth District GOP Chairman Jay Hall said fund-raising won't be a problem for the Westwood campaign.
“Now that Jack has an opponent, we are going to up the ante and raise the money he needs to win,” Mr. Hall said.
Vice Gabbert, Senate caucus director for the Kentucky Democratic Party, said the state party plans to help Ms. Henson with money and support.
“This race is a top priority for us because it's a race we can win,” said Mr. Gabbert, who attended Ms. Henson's announcement. “This is really a Democratic district. It always was until four years ago. But (Congressman) Ken Lucas carried it last year, Gov. (Paul) Patton carried it big Tuesday and we're going to win it next year.”
Mr. Westwood said he welcomes the challenge.
“I have always been a strong believer in the democratic process and we are ready to campaign hard to continue the work we've started in Frankfort,” Mr. Westwood said.
Mr. Westwood, 55, represents the 23rd Senate District, which includes Bromley, Covington, Elsmere, Erlanger, Fort Wright, Independence, Latonia Lakes, Ludlow, Morning View, Park Hills, Piner, Taylor Mill, Visalia and all of southern Kenton County.
Ms. Henson's husband, Richard, is a teacher at Conner High School. They have a daughter, 10, and a son, 9. She has worked as an international flight attendant for Delta Air Lines for 13 years.
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