FORT MITCHELL — State Senate candidate John Stephenson has scheduled a political rally he promises will be short on politics.

        “Sure, I want people to come out and meet me and I hope they'll vote for me,” said Mr. Stephenson, a Fort Mitchell Democrat running in the 11th Senate District race in Boone and Kenton counties.

        “But we're not taking any campaign contributions, and we're not even going to have yard signs or bumper stickers,” he said. “This is just going to be about having a good time, eating some good food and listening to some great music.”

        Mr. Stephenson's “Stew With Stephenson” rally is open to the public noon-4 p.m. Saturday at the Walton City Park on Old Stephenson Mill Road.

        Beef stew will be served and music will be provided by, among others, the Ball Family Gospel Quartet, the Whosoever Will Group and the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers.

        The day will actually begin for Mr. Stephenson at 9 a.m. at a breakfast sponsored by the Boone County Democratic Women's Club. It will be held at the Stringtown Restaurant on Main Street in Florence.

        Mr. Stephenson is running an uphill battle against Republican incumbent Sen. Dick Roeding of Lakeside Park. Mr. Roeding has more money, has served in the legislature for 10 years and is running for re-election in a GOP-friendly district that includes all of Boone County — the largest county controlled by Republicans in the state — and the heavily Republican enclaves in Kenton County.

        “We know this is a tough race,” Mr. Stephenson said. “That's why we want people to come out and meet me at the rally.”

        Mr. Stephenson said he is sad that his wife, June, will be unable to attend. She is recovering from surgery she had earlier this week.

        “We'll miss her at the rally, but we'll say a prayer for her,” Mr. Stephenson said.

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