Wednesday, May 31, 2000
Politics
Henson hurting in funds hunt
COVINGTON — If money is the mother's milk of politics, then a local campaign on the November general election ballot had better start making some trips to the dairy.
The good news for state Senate candidate Jaimie Henson, an Independence Democrat, is that when it comes to raising cash, the only place to go is up.
It's certainly not time — at least not yet — to push the panic button. But it's also about time that some bucks started to roll in.
The incumbent that Mrs. Henson will face this fall — Republican Sen. Jack Westwood of Erlanger — is looking like Regis Philbin sitting on a big pile of dough.
Money isn't the most important component of an election campaign, but it has to be in the top three, right up there with issues and the strength of the candidate.
Mr. Westwood is in an excellent fund-raising position as the fall campaign officially begins now that the primaries are completed.
Defending his 11th District seat for the first time, Mr. Westwood has collected $70,000, while Mrs. Henson is barely hovering around the $10,000 mark.
Big-time donors
His donor list is impressive, featuring the likes — and checks — of a number of Northern Kentucky community and business leaders, including lawyer Bill Robinson of Erlanger; Ashland Inc. Chief Executive Officer Paul Chellgren; real estate firm owner Jim Huff of Fort Mitchell; home builder Ralph Drees; and developer Matt Toebben.
Publicly, Mrs. Henson's campaign handlers are glib, smirking as they tell reporters and concerned Democrats not to worry about money.
Well, it had better get there soon, some Democrats are saying privately.
“It's not too late; it's only late May,” said a Kenton County Democratic Party official. “But she needs to get started. She needs to bring some money in because you know the Republicans, here and across the state, are going to be all over this race.”
With the balance of power tettering in the GOP-controlled Senate — where Republicans hold a fragile 20-18 edge — Mr. Westwood's fellow Republicans are going to be working, and spending, hard to hold on to every seat on the ballot this fall.
So despite their nonchalant attitude about money, the Dems are working behind the scenes to attract some bucks to Mrs. Henson's campaign.
Fund-raising plans
Attorney General Ben Chandler will be the featured guest at a June 28 fund-raiser in Covington. Fund-raisers featuring Mr. Patton, Lt. Gov. Steve Henry and Mr. Lucas are planned, but dates have not been announced.
The Henson campaign will also get some fund-raising and campaign help from the office of Gov. Paul Patton, a Pikeville Democrat, and local labor unions.
The head of constituent services for Northern Kentucky in Mr. Patton's office, Sally Davis, said she plans to take vacation time this fall to help Mrs. Henson's campaign.
“I'm going to do what I can because this is a race the Democrats can win,” she said.
And union leaders Wayne Whalen of Grant County and Jim Cole of Campbell County, officers in the Northern Kentucky Labor Council, promised Mrs. Henson financial and campaign support.
“You'll see a big effort from labor,” Mr. Cole said.
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for The Kentucky Enquirer. He can be reached at 578-5581, or by e-mail at crowleys@cinci.infi.net.
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