Friday, January 07, 2000
McConnell, Bunning star at fund-raiser
$20,000 raised for Westwood
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
State Sen. Jack Westwood's 2000 re-election campaign got a boost this week from Kentucky's two best-known Republican officeholders.
U.S. Sens. Jim Bunning of Southgate and Mitch McConnell of Louisville attended a Mondaynight fund-raiser for Mr. Westwood at the Villa Hills home of Dr. Charles Allnutt.
Organizers of the event credited the appearance of both senators with helping bring in the $20,000 that was raised for Mr. Westwood's campaign for a second four-year term in Frankfort.
“It was fantastic to have both of our senators there,” Mr. Westwood said Thursday from Frankfort, where he is serving in the General Assembly's regular legislative session.
“I was just overwhelmed by the overall show of support. It was a great way to kick off 2000,” he said.
Mr. Westwood, 55, a teacher from Erlanger, pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in recent Northern Kentucky political history in winning his first term in 1996. He knocked off Covington Democrat Joe Meyer, who had spent 15 years in Frankfort.
This year he is challenged by Democrat Jaimie Henson, a flight attendant active in community causes. Her experience is limited, having served on Independence City Council. But she is backed by a savvy Democratic campaign team that has promised to give Mr. Westwood a tough race.
Mr. Bunning said with the Republicans holding a slim 20-18 majority in the state Senate, Mr. Westwood's race has added importance.
“I wanted to help get him re-elected because he's one of our 20 down here, and he's done a good job,” Mr. Bunning said. “Your first re-election is the toughest always, so it's very important to put a good campaign together and raise the money you need to win.”
With the $20,000 from Monday's event, Mr. Westwood, who announced his re-election campaign almost a year ago, has raised nearly $50,000, according to his campaign manager, Marc Wilson.
Republicans close to the campaign have said Mr. Westwood needs to raise about $100,000 to run an effective race in the 11th Senate District, which covers much of Kenton County.
Mr. Westwood can expect help, including money, from the Kentucky Republican Party, according to state GOP Vice Chairman Damon Thayer of Crittenden.
“Jack couldn't have had a better 1999,” said Mr. Thayer. “He got out early with his re-election announcement, avoided a primary and started raising money.
“He's also on the Senate (Budget) Committee, which is very high-profile, and he is in the majority in the Senate,” he said. “The campaign looks very strong right now.”
Mrs. Henson's camp was unimpressed with Mr. Westwood's fund raising. “With two U.S. senators at his event, I'm surprised he didn't raise more money,” said Nathan Smith, Mrs. Henson's campaign manager.
Mrs. Henson has raised only about $5,000, but the campaign has not started a heavy push to raise money, Mr. Smith said.
“During the holidays we felt it would be too difficult to ask people to give up money and time,” Mr. Smith said. “But we'll raise all the money we need for this race.”
The state Democratic Party has also pledged to help Mrs. Henson.
“Northern Kentucky wants a state senator who will get something done in Frankfort, and Jack Westwood didn't do anything last time he was there,” Mr. Smith said. “We don't expect much from him this time, either.”
Mr. Westwood said his agenda for the legislative session includes passage of a bill that would require parents to file an official parenting plan with the courts during divorce proceedings. The plan would stipulate how the child is going to be raised, with emphasis on how much time the child would spend with each parent.
The campaign has also started a campaign Web site — www.westwood2K.com — and is putting together a series of issue papers.
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