But Westwood and the Republican Party were also under fire Wednesday over claims that they are distorting the record of his opponent, Fort Mitchell Democrat Kathy Groob.

An amendment filed by Westwood, a two-term senator from Crescent Springs, was included in the health-care bill. It allows flexible spending accounts - which is $234 per month for people who waive state health insurance coverage - to be rolled over each year. That provision relies on the approval of pending federal legislation before it could take effect.

"I expressed my desire to improve the insurance for teachers and state employees last month," said Westwood, a retired teacher. "With the special (legislative) session, we were able to do more for teachers, and I was proud to play a part in improving benefits for our teachers and public employees."

Groob did not dispute that the legislation is "good for Kentucky's teachers."

"But this is only a stopgap measure that was done for pure political posturing," she said, adding that lawmakers will have to come up with more permanent solution when they return to Frankfort in February.

The Groob campaign was incensed Wednesday over a series of campaign mail pieces and radio ads paid for by the Republican Party of Kentucky and the Westwood campaign.

Groob and her campaign said the ads are full of distortions and inaccuracies. Westwood's campaign did not comment and Republican Party officials could not be reached.

Groob and her campaign adviser, Eric Gentry, showed some examples of what they say are distortions:

• A radio ad claims that as a member of Fort Mitchell City Council, Groob supported spending more money on tree-trimming than police and fire training.

"Kathy Groob has been a strong advocate for our fire and police departments," Fort Mitchell Fire Chief Chad Dietz said in a statement provided by the Groob campaign.

• A mail piece inaccurately claims that Groob voted earlier this year to increase her council pay by 250 percent. Groob voted against the pay raise.

• Another mail piece said that as a member of council she voted to "redefine the traditional family." The line is a reference to a zoning ordinance Groob supported that would have allowed adult group homes in Fort Mitchell. It also accuses Groob of supporting gay marriages.

"Sen. Westwood should be ashamed of himself and this distortion," Groob said.

Westwood and Groob are running in Kenton County's 23rd Senate District. It covers Covington, Erlanger, Edgewood, Elsmere, Fort Wright, Crescent Springs, Villa Hills, Bromley, Ludlow, Park Hills and Fort Mitchell.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com