Friday, November 19, 1999
State GOP trolls N.Ky. for cash
Party hopes to keep power in Senate
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL — State Senate Republicans will be in Northern Kentucky today to tap GOP contributors as the party gears up for the 2000 election.
With their 20-18 Senate majority in the balance and hinging on the results of next November's election, Republicans will be working an area that has been lucrative for GOP candidates.
Some of the party's biggest fund-raisers have been in Northern Kentucky in recent years. And through commitments and some checks already received, today's event has bested organizers' goals of raising $30,000, said state GOP Vice Chairman Damon Thayer of Crittenden.
“Northern Kentucky is fast becoming one of the best regions of the state for our candidates to raise money,” said Mr. Thayer, who spent Thursday making phone calls to potential contributors from GOP headquarters in Frankfort.
“This will be the biggest fund-raiser for the party in Northern Kentucky this year.”
The event will be at the Airport Holiday Inn on Mineola Pike in Erlanger.
A reception with Sen. David Williams of Burkesville and other senators begins at 11 a.m., and a luncheon begins at noon.
Mr. Williams is in line to be elected Senate president when the General Assembly convenes in January.
The contribution to attend both events is $500. Lunch-only is $100.
The event will raise money for the Senate Majority Trust, which contributes money to GOP Senate candidates.
All three of Northern Kentucky's senators — Katie Stine of Fort Thomas, Dick Roeding of Lakeside Park and Jack Westwood of Erlanger — are Republicans.
Mrs. Stine is not up for re-election next year.
Mr. Roeding is running, but so far has not drawn an opponent.
Mr. Westwood is being challenged by Independence Democrat Jaimie Henson.
Mr. Thayer said the party has held several fund-raisers for the Majority Trust around the state, including in Versailles and Lexington. Events also are planned in Bowling Green and Louisville.
“We're very happy with the success of these fund-raisers,” Mr. Thayer said. “In the 1998 elections we raised and spent about $100,000, and were outspent 4-to-1 by the Democrats.
“In 1999, we've raised significantly more than $100,000 and we have all of next year to raise money for our candidates in November.”
However, the Democratic Party also has been aggressively raising money.
In September, the party raised $200,000 at a fund-raiser in Newport attended by Gov. Paul Patton. And last month it raised $700,000 during a fund-raiser in Mr. Patton's hometown of Pikeville.
“Those were our two biggest fund-raisers of the year,” said Vince Gabbert, Senate Caucus director of the Kentucky Democratic Party.
“And both times Gov. Patton helped draw a big crowd. He is very strong, and was basically backed by both parties in (the Nov. 2) election,” Mr. Gabbert said, noting Mr. Williams and other Senate Republicans supported the governor over Republican Peppy Martin.
“That helps bring in the money.”
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