By Dave Niinemets
Enquirer contributor

BURLINGTON - Unlike many local state seats that were uncontested, voters had a choice to make for the 60th District state representative seat.

Incumbent state Rep. Paul Marcotte beat challenger Michael Moore by a vote of 6,726 to 3,776 in a battle of two Union residents.

"I ran on my record and I thought it was an effective record. We had a lot of supporters and a lot of help. I think we earned it."

He said his priorities for the new term would be "to solve this problem of escalating health care premiums. It's something that should be a priority for every legislator."

Mr. Marcotte, a retired retail executive, has held the office since 1995. The Republican also served as chairman of the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus during a portion of his time in office.

Mr. Moore, a Democrat, owns a carpet cleaning service and is a former Union councilman. His campaign will be remembered for attention-getters such as red banana boxes hanging from trees and Christmas signs lighting a hillside, seeking residents' votes.

A key issue in this race has been HB250, a 1994 bill that caused 40 insurance providers to leave the state. Mr. Marcotte, who was an insurance salesman at the time, made it clear the bill was passed before he came into office and that he has been trying to reverse its effects.

The 60th District covers southern Boone County and parts of Trimble, Gallatin and Carroll counties. Among the cities in the mostly rural district are Union, Walton and Verona.

Mr. Marcotte will begin his next two-year term in January, when the Kentucky legislature will hold session.