Tuesday, December 21, 1999
Campbell GOP elects Barb Haas as chairwoman
Bunning, others praise her skills
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Buoyed by the backing of the biggest names in the Campbell County Republican Party, Fort Thomas resident Barb Haas was unanimously elected chairwoman Monday night of the county GOP.
Mrs. Haas has been a campaign strategist, organizer and fund raiser for most of the Republicans holding office in the county. Several GOP officeholders — including U.S. Sen Jim Bunning of Southgate — attended the party's executive committee meeting to express their support and vote for Mrs. Haas.
"She'll do just great'
“She has one thing in mind, and that's electing Republicans to office,” Mr. Bunning said. “She's been good at doing it, she's been involved raising money and heading up campaigns.
“I think she'll do just great. It's good to have some enthusiastic new leadership,” he said.
“You couldn't find anybody in Campbell County that's better versed on campaigns,” said Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery, a Fort Thomas Republican.
Mr. Pendery pointed out that Mrs. Haas worked not only on his campaign but also on the winning GOP campaigns of state Sen. Katie Stine, state Rep. Joe Fischer and county coroner Dr. Mark Schweitzer, all of whom attended Monday's meeting.
“Tireless,” is how Mr. Fischer described her.
Others attending Monday's meeting were Kelly White, Northern Kentucky field representative for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell; Fourth District GOP Chairman Jay Hall; and county constable Steve Taylor.
A Bunning in office
Kay Bunning of Fort Thomas, Mr. Bunning's daughter-in-law, was elected treasurer.
Mrs. Haas replaces former chair woman Ruth “Sam” Smith, who has resigned the party's top post but has pledged to stay active in the party.
Recruiting gap
Mrs. Haas inherits leadership of a Republican executive committee that has had some success in recent elections but has not been as adept at recruiting and electing candidates as the Boone and Kenton county Republican parties.
The party has also suffered from infighting and disagreements between some Republican Party leaders and members from Fort Thomas and party activists in the southern end of the county.
Mrs. Haas moved quickly Monday to involve more people from all areas on the party's executive committee.
Leadership enlarged
With the committee's support, her first act was adding eight members to the executive committee, including:
• Keith Daniels of Mentor, in the south end of the county, who ran last year for county commissioner.
• Stu Stormer, a former candidate for state representative from Alexandria.
• Fort Thomas political activists Jenny Schlosser and Eric Steinman.
“I truly feel if we have leadership from all parts of the county it will have a ripple effect on other Republicans in different areas,” Mrs. Haas said. “It will help us involve a lot more people in elections.”
“Barb will be a uniting force,” Mr. Bunning said. “That's what we need in Campbell County. Everybody pulling on the same oar in the party.”
Mrs. Haas also announced the formation of a committee similar to the Lincoln 100 Committee in Kenton County, which raises $10,000 for the party from 100 people each contributing $100.
The executive committee has had difficulty in the past raising and managing money for campaigns.
Having a financial base will help encourage people to run for office, Mrs. Haas said, adding that another of her goals will be candidate recruitment.
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