By Patrick Crowley
Enquirer staff writer

Frankfort has begun paying attention to Northern Kentucky's statehouse races.

The Kentucky Democratic and Republican parties have jumped fully into the fray of two of the General Assembly's hottest races:

• The 23rd Senate District race in Kenton County between Republican incumbent Jack Westwood of Crescent Springs and Democrat Kathy Groob, a member of Fort Mitchell City Council.

• Campbell County's 67th House District race between Wilder City Councilman Dennis Keene, a Democrat, and Republican Mark Hayden, also of Wilder.

Top leaders from both parties issued statements last week on the races that, in typical partisan fashion, touted their own candidates while taking shots at their opponents.

"The people of Kentucky voted for change in 2003 by electing Gov. Ernie Fletcher, and they are now showing their disappointment with the leadership in the state house," said Kentucky GOP Party Chairman John McCarthy, a former lobbyist.

"The Democrats in Frankfort will hear the voters' cry loud and clear in November."

The interest is a clear indication that Northern Kentucky's races will play a key role in each party's plan to hold ground in one chamber while gaining in the other.

Republicans control the Senate with 22 of the 38 seats; Democrats hold the House, 64 to 36.

"Kenton County needs a strong voice in Frankfort," said newly elected Democratic State Party Chairman Bill Garmer, a Lexington lawyer. "It needs adequate investment in education and Northern Kentucky University.

"But in eight years in office Jack Westwood has not managed one serious accomplishment for the county, and people are beginning to realize that his leadership is a failure," Garmer said in a soundly partisan swipe.

Though neither party has mentioned any specific commitments, notice of this sort from Frankfort typically manifests later in the campaign cycle as money, resources and other assistance.

But for now party leaders are boasting of their candidates' ability to raise money on their own.

Senate Democratic leader Ed Worley of Richmond said Groob has built a fund-raising advantage - albeit slight - since entering the Senate race in November. As of late June Groob has raised $56,179 to Westwood's $55,075.

"Kathy rolls up her sleeves and goes door to door, making direct contact with citizens," Worley said. "The Senate Democratic caucus strongly supports her campaign."

Garmer said Westwood should have more money because "he has all the benefits incumbency brings."

But Scott Sedmak, Westwood's campaign manager, said money will not be a concern.

Westwood has $64,000 cash on hand while Groob has just $38,000, Sedmak said.

"She gave herself $5,000 while Jack hasn't given himself a penny," he said.

Westwood will pad his war chest Friday when Gov. Ernie Fletcher attends the second fund-raiser for the campaign this year. It will be held at the Richwood home of developer Richard Knock, a GOP fund-raiser closely associated with 4th Congressional District candidate Geoff Davis.

"Most people think we should be far ahead," Sedmak said, "but Jack has the fourth largest money advantage of any competitive race in the General Assembly."

The Westwood campaign expects Fletcher's appearance to help raise at least $25,000.

Republicans are also happy with the money being raised by Hayden in the 67th District race, which covers Newport, Dayton, Bellevue, Wilder, Southgate and parts of Highland Heights.

Incumbent Jim Callahan, a Wilder Democrat, is retiring at year's end after 18 years in Frankfort.

Hayden, a lawyer making his first run for office, was mentioned in a press release the Kentucky GOP distributed to tout its top fund-raisers.

The release points out that as of late June Hayden had nearly $27,000 in the bank compared to less than $50 for Keene.

"Our field of challengers and open seat candidates know that his could be a special year and they are working hard to make it happen," said Rep. Jeff Hoover, the GOP's House leader.

Campbell County Democrats say Hayden's advantage is misleading.

Keene ran in a tight primary race, beating Campbell County Commissioner Ken Rechtin, while Hayden went unopposed and was able to horde money.

"Dennis was out-raised by about 2 to 1 and still won," said Eric Gentry of Cornerstone Strategies, an Edgewood campaign and fund-raising consulting firm advising Keene.

They also say Keene has not ramped up his fund-raising but will have the money it takes to run a good race against Hayden.

"Money will be the least of Dennis Keene's worries," said Campbell County Commissioner Dave Otto, who is active in the Keene campaign. "Besides, he works as hard if not harder than anybody I've ever seen. He'll be fine."

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E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com