Westwood, a Crescent Springs Republican seeking a third term in Frankfort, said he is aware his comments will draw political fire because in 1996 he signed a pledge not to raise taxes.

"Would I consider that, yes," Westwood said during an hour-long debate with Democrat Kathy Groob at Holmes High School.

Groob, a marketing executive from Fort Mitchell, also said she would consider supporting an increase in the state's tax of 3 cents a pack on cigarettes, the second lowest rate in the nation. Virginia's state tax on cigarettes is 2.5 cents a pack.

Both said they would prefer that the increase be a part of an overall reform of the state's tax code.

But money is so desperately needed, Westwood and Groob said, a standalone increase of the cigarette tax should be considered to pay for health care and other programs.

That was one of the few issues Groob and Westwood have agreed on as they fight for the seat in Kenton County's 23rd Senate District.

Westwood, a retired teacher who has served two terms in the Senate, has often been portrayed as a puppet for GOP leadership in Frankfort. He was asked during the debate to respond to charges that he is a "lackey" for his party's leaders and to name instances in which he has differed with them.

He was unable to give any examples. "I am a member of the Republican Party, and, frankly, the Republican Party and I have similar views."

Westwood said he has crossed party lines to work on bills that increased taxes on blighted properties and established a program to improve civic literacy in public schools.

Westwood did criticize how Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration has handled the state's current health-care crisis.

Lawmakers are in special session to craft a solution to Fletcher's health-care plan, which raised costs for state employees and prompted a public outcry.

"Unfortunately the governor has surrounded himself with advisers that I think have not done the kind of job they should have done," Westwood said.

Groob said she has been "very disappointed" with Fletcher's performance.

"I think he has tried to put some things in place without...trying to build relationships and having people on both sides of the aisle work together," she said. "I've lost confidence in him."

Groob showed some rare bipartisanship for a legislative race when she mentioned that for the second time in three years lawmakers in the Republican-held Senate and Democratic controlled House were unable to pass a budget.

"Both sides have blame in this matter," Groob said on the budget debacle.

But she added that Westwood has not shown the kind of leadership needed to break Frankfort gridlock.

"I think the voters need to look real close at what is going on," Groob said, adding in her closing statement that "if we keep sending the same people to Frankfort, we'll keep getting the same results."

The 23rd Senate District covers Covington, Erlanger, Edgewood, Elsmere, Fort Wright, Crescent Springs, Villa Hills, Bromley, Ludlow, Park Hills, Covington and Fort Mitchell.

The debate will be broadcast by the Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky on Wednesday at 8 p.m. on INC Channel 16.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com