FORT MITCHELL — Kenton County Democratic Party Chairwoman Shirley Huelsmann, saying she needs to spend time caring for her mother, announced Friday that she will resign as the party's head Jan. 1.

        The move comes just about a month after Kenton County Democrats suffered through another Election Day when Republicans claimed more victories, including in the races for Kenton County attorney and state senator.

        Mrs. Huelsmann, a close ally of Gov. Paul Patton and a delegate to the 1996 and 2000 Democratic National Conventions, issued a statement Friday saying she needs more time to care for her ailing mother.

        Mrs. Huelsmann made no additional comment, but has told fellow Democrats over the last several months that caring for her mother took time away from her duties as head of the Kenton County Democratic Executive Committee.

        “Family comes first with Shirley,” said Democratic Party Vice Chairman Ed Worland, who will serve as interim chairman until Mrs. Huelsmann's replacement is named.

        “Being an only child with an elderly parent makes it tough to find the time to run a county political organization,” Mr. Worland said. “Our prayers are with her.”

        The Democratic Executive Committee has formed a search committee to find a successor. It is headed by Fort Mitchell Democrat Nathan Smith, a businessman who runs a manufactured housing company.

        Democrats praised Mrs. Huels mann on Friday for her commitment to the party.

        “Shirley Huelsmann has worked hard for Democratic candidates in Kenton County and helped spread the message that the Democratic Party understands the issues facing today's working families,” Mr. Worland said.

        But Republicans have been the dominant political party in Kenton County over the last decade. The GOP controls the courthouse, holds most of the statehouse seats in the county and has a countywide organization that is more aggressive, better organized and better-funded than the Democrats'.

        Last month Republican Bill Crockett won the county attorney's race over 16-year Democratic incumbent Don Buring; Erlanger Republican Jack Westwood held on to his state Senate seat by beating Jaimie Henson of Independence; and George W. Bush carried the county with more than 60 percent of the vote in the presidential race.

        In addition, Republican state Sen. Dick Roeding of Lakeside Park and state Rep. Jon Draud posted huge margins in beating Democratic opponents.

        “If the Democrats want to be successful, they need to get some younger people and some new people involved,” said GOP strategist Hayes Robertson of Covington.

        “From talking to people who have switched parties, they (the Kenton Democrats) have a bunch of obstructionists over there who won't let any of the young rising stars have a voice or position in the party,” Mr. Robertson said Friday.

        Democrats are encouraged by two Election Day victories: Kenton County Circuit Clerk Mary Ann Woltenberg's win over Steve Kramer; and the victory by U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, a Democrat who carried Kenton County in winning re-election over Republican Don Bell in the 4th congressional district.

        “The next party chair needs to be someone who has the time and energy to work for our current officials, recruit candidates for other races, raise money and organize the party on a grass-roots level,” Mr. Smith said.

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