Friday, September 08, 2000
Draud agrees to spar
He, Holbrook want debate
By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL — Republican state Rep. Jon Draud has accepted a debate challenge from his Democratic opponent in the November election, Fort Mitchell City Councilman Jeb Holbrook.
The details must be worked out, but Mr. Draud, 61, a first-term lawmaker from Crestview Hills, said Thursday he has no problem agreeing to a debate.
“I think it's important that the public know how each candidate stands on the issue,” said Mr. Draud, a retired superintendent of the Ludlow Schools and an education instructor at Northern Kentucky University.
“We'll have to work out the time and place, but I don't see this as any kind of problem.”
Mr. Holbrook, 25, is a recent law school graduate who works in his family's property management firm. He made the challenge through a reporter.
“We need debates to help the voters make their decisions and to let the voters see the candidates talking about their stances on the issues,” Mr. Holbrook said Wednesday. “It's an important part of the process that candidates should participate in.”
GOP territory
Candidates in Mr. Draud's position — an entrenched incumbent favored to win re-election — will often refuse to debate a political challenger.
Mr. Draud represents what the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has identified as the state's most Republican district, an area that includes the GOP-friendly Kenton County suburbs of Crestview Hills, Crescent Springs, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, Villa Hills, Lakeside Park and Park Hills.
“I don't know why you wouldn't debate,” he said. “We owe that to the voters.”
Republican Sen. Dick Roeding of Lakeside Park represents a district that includes some of those communities as well as all of Boone County, the largest Republican-controlled county in Kentucky. Mr. Roeding has refused to debate his Democratic challenger, John Stephenson of Fort Mitchell.
At this point, no community or other groups have scheduled a debate in the 63rd District House race, though forums or debates are often scheduled after the candidates agree to a format.
TV possibility
Insight News 6, the local cable news operation, may also have a televised debate or candidate forum later this fall, the station has said.
Mr. Holbrook suggested the debate be held on one or both of the cable access TV shows the candidates each host. Mr. Holbrook has a current events and variety type show; Mr. Draud hosts a regular access show on education issues.
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