By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Living up to a prediction he made a week ago, Damon Thayer won the Republican nomination Monday night and will be the GOP candidate in the special election for Northern Kentucky's newest state Senate seat.

In a secret ballot, party representatives from the four counties in the 17th Senate District - Grant, Owen and Scott counties as well as the southern half of Kenton County - chose Mr. Thayer over Scott County builder Joe Jarboe.

"It's such an honor to have the words `Republican nominee' next to my name," an ebullient Mr. Thayer said Monday. "My message will be focused on conservative Kentucky values. I am pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-tobacco farmer, I'm not in favor of higher taxes, I believe in market-based health care reforms and I'm committed to a strong public education system in Kentucky."

Mr. Jarboe immediately endorsed Mr. Thayer, said Kentucky Republican Party Chairwoman Ellen Williams, who attended Monday's night's nominating vote in Scott County.

"The party is unified and we're ready to go," said Ms. Williams, noting that more than 100 people turned out to vote "two days before Christmas."

"That shows me the party is focused, excited and ready to elect Damon Thayer to the state Senate," she said.

The Democrats will select their nominee Saturday. Seeking the nomination are Cliff Wallace of Grant County, the superintendent of Williamstown schools, and labor leader Charles Wells of Scott County.

Mr. Thayer is a horse racing industry executive from Scott County. He formerly lived in Grant County and for seven years oversaw marketing at Turfway Park in Florence. He said he has already raised $58,000 for the race.

A special election Jan. 28 will fill the seat, created this year when state lawmakers used 2000 U.S. Census data to redraw legislative districts.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com.