Friday, January 28, 2000

Republicans sign up to support Roeding

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BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        FORT MITCHELL — Northern Kentucky Republican Party leaders and elected officials are rallying behind state Sen. Dick Roeding, who drew a surprise GOP primary challenge this week from Boone County Commissioner Robert Hay.

        A list of Republicans backing Mr. Roeding in the May primary will be unveiled today, Kenton County Republican Party Chairman Greg Shumate said Thursday.

        “This will be a comprehensive list of Republicans from all three counties,” said Mr. Shumate, a longtime supporter of Mr. Roeding.

        “The point of putting this list out, more than anything, is to make a statement of unity. We are not going to be split up as a party, and we are strongly behind Dick Roeding.”

        Mr. Hay shocked local Republicans when he filed campaign papers Tuesday to run against Mr. Roeding, a 10-year Statehouse veteran elected this year as Senate president pro tem.

        Mr. Hay, 39, said he is running because Mr. Roeding, an ardent opponent of abortion, was not doing enough to push anti-abortion legislation. He also said Mr. Roeding, 69, could no longer relate to the problems of working families with young children.

        Mr. Roeding was in Frankfort Thursday and could not be reached to comment. He did, however, speak to an anti-abortion group during a luncheon.

        “Dick is very honored that people are putting their names on this list,” said Hayes Robertson, a member of Mr. Roeding's re-election campaign. “Dick knows that he has been doing a good job championing family issues, championing the cause of Right to Life, and, most importantly, working for seniors.”

        Some of the names to be on the list:

        • State Reps. Paul Marcotte of Union, Joe Fischer of Fort Thomas and Charlie Walton of Florence, and Sens. Katie Stine of Fort Thomas and Jack Westwood of Erlanger.

        • Boone County Sheriff Mike Helmig.

        • Boone County Commonwealth Attorney Willie Mathis.

        • Boone County GOP Chairman Ed Moore.

        • Campbell County GOP Chairwoman Barb Haas.

        • Marc Wilson, a GOP strategist and campaign organizer from Florence.

        “I don't know of any elected Republican official in Kenton County who isn't on this list,” Mr. Shumate said. “We're not doing this to take sides. We're doing this to support Dick Roeding.”

        Mr. Hay could not be reached to comment.