NOV. 4 6PMLIVERESULTS

UP-TO-THE-MINUTE ELECTION RESULTS

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2014 Election preview edition

MORE COvINGTON NEwS THAN ANy OTHER SOURCE www.rcnky.com • /therivercitynews • @theRCnews

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You are holding in your hand the very first printed piece from The River City News. For three years, this publication has dominated the breaking stories that matter to you - first from Covington and now all across the Northern Kentucky River Cities.

We’ve done that entirely online at www.RCNky.com which I hope you will make a part of your day - everyday. Multiple times a day! We are on 24-7.

I am thrilled to offer to you this Special Election Preview outlining all of the candidates running for office in our cities and Kenton & Campbell Counties.

Northern Kentucky’s urban center is a special place and what I’ve learned over the past few years as I get to

know these cities better than ever, is that we are all facing so many of the same issues and celebrating similar successes.

Covington, Ludlow, Newport, Ft. Thomas, Bellevue, and Dayton -- we have defined boundaries but similar souls. We’re fighting the same battles. We’re working for the same thing: A revitalized urban core.

The good news is: We are there. Look up and down your old downtowns and you see the signs of life returning and taking off.

Think about this: If you combined the populations of all six of these cities, you would have nearly 90,000 people. That’s a pretty good-sized city. And that’s how we treat the coverage

of these cities here at The River City News, as one big city with one bright future ahead of it.

We love telling our stories online and in the near future we’ll be doing it more in print, too. If you have story ideas email us at news@rcnky.com and if you want to advertise hit us up at sales@rcnky.com.

Most importantly, visit us at www.rcnky.com.

Now, enjoy the Special Election Preview. The stakes are high. Vote - and vote wisely!

Michael MonksEditor & Publishermmonks@rcnky.com

Letter from the editor

ProvenPositive

Leadership

Michael MonksEditor & Publisher

Jerod TheobaldManaging Editor

Bryan BurkeAssociate Editor

Brian FreyPhotographer

Newsroom306 Greenup St., Floor 1Covington, KY 41011859-261-1202news@rcnky.com

salessales@rcnky.com

Cover PhotoDextera Photography

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fb.com/CForwardIT @CForwardIT

NKY’S INFORMATICS ACCELERATOR IN COVINGTON

As you head to your polling place this year you must do so an informed voter, for Northern Kentucky’s future is at stake. These elections in the River Cities and the counties will determine the tone, ambition, priorities, and direction of the region, a region that is clamoring to flex its political muscles in Frankfort and to showcase its attractiveness to businesses across the globe.

The stakes are high: The leaders who will propel this region forward in the coming years will need to have the courage and vision that lead to the growth that we all know is possible.

They must develop actual, tangible plans to eliminate the scourge of heroin from our streets and our homes; they must find a serious solution to transportation issues ranging from the need for new and widened roads to mass transit & rail to finally answering the question about the Brent Spence Bridge; they must cooperate with our schools, public & private and elementary & college, to push our people to pursue better lives for themselves and their families; and most of all, they must continue the momentum our urban cities are celebrating.

Going backward is not option.

As you consider which candidates have earned your vote this November, it is the hope of The River City News editorial

team that you do so with an eye on the future. Who has bold ideas and practical plans to execute them? Those are the candidates we need and want in office.

Northern Kentucky is fortunate to have a neighbor in Cincinnati, but it’s time that we understand that we are a metropolitan area of our own. 90,000 people in the urban core and 375,000 people across the three counties.

This region is grown up now. It requires leaders that understand that.

This is a region that must compete in a global economy to attract high paying jobs, a region that is nurturing and feeding multiple institutions of higher learning that must produce graduates ready for the twenty-first century economy, and a region that is too important to the rest of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to continue to allow itself to be treated as a second class citizen in Frankfort.

This region is powerful and its power grows each year. So, who should wield that power on our behalf?

That’s the question this November. Be an informed and motivated voter.The stakes are high.

-The River City News editorial team

the stakesare high

2014 Election preview

4 | www.rcnky.com

Voters are mostly free from partisan county-wide races in Kenton County, though there are a few to pay attention to.

The Kenton County Fiscal Court will be populated by four Republicans who won their primaries in May since none of them faces a Democratic challenger.

Kris Knochelmann, a current County Commissioner, toppled Judge-Executive Steve Arlinghaus and will assume the county’s top job in January.

Commissioners Beth Sewell and Jon Draud were reelected and Ft. Wright Mayor Joe Neinaber won Knochelmann’s open seat.

Stacy Tapke will take over as County Attorney for her retiring boss Garry Edmondson after winning the Republican primary. She faces no Democratic challenger.

There are competitive races for sheriff, county clerk, and property valuation administrator, though.

Meanwhile, at the city level, Covington and Ludlow will send its next crop of leaders to their respective city buildings and both cities are working to attract small businesses to their main streets.

The leadership in Kenton County will directly deal with two of the biggest issues facing the entire Greater Cincinnati region and its 2.2 million people: the Brent Spence Bridge project and the Kenton County Airport Board’s governance of the CVG International Airport.

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KENTUCKY COMMUNITY &TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn is seeking a fifth term. The Republican was first elected in 1998 and has been reelected every four years since.

He is challenged by Democrat Marc Chapman who retired from the Kenton County Police.

Recent discussions at the Fiscal Court level have included casual exploration of combining the sheriff’s office with the county police, such as in Boone County. Will that become a more serious conversation in the coming years? Should it?

The winner of this election will surely have a lot to say when that topic arises.

County Clerk Gabrielle Summe is seeking a second term. Like most Republicans in the county, she is free of any challenge from Democrats. However, Libertarian Christopher

Robinson entered the race and will face Summe in November.

The two candidates ended up facing off in Circuit Court as Summe challenged whether Robinson met the residency requirements. Judge Gregory Bartlett ruled that he did and now both appear on the ballot.

The Property Valuation Administrator race features incumbent Democrat Mark Vogt against his top deputy, Republican Darlene Plummer.

There is also a partisan race for County Surveyor: Democrat Gregory Barker faces Republican James Shumate.

Additionally, four people are running for three seats on the Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors: Aliena Howard, James Kreissl, Marc Hult, and Nancy Kloentrup.

For more information about the Kenton County ballot, visit: kentoncountykyclerk.com.

SHERIFF • CLERK • PVA

DEXTERA PHOTOGRAPHY

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Northern Kentucky’s largest city is home to one of the region’s most competitive races.

All four incumbents on the city commission are seeking another term while four challengers want their jobs. The eight candidate field squares off in an open race with the top four vote-getters assuming office in January.

Commissioner Steve Frank is vying for his third two-year term while Commissioners Chuck Eilerman, Mildred Rains, and Michelle Williams are each seeking their second terms (though Rains previously served as an appointed commissioner in 2009-10).

The challengers are Warner Allen, Christi Blair, Jordan Huizenga, and Bill Wells.

As Northern Kentucky’s riverfront communities celebrate a comeback, Covington arguably has the most exciting projects underway: the Gateway Community & Technical College Urban Metro Campus development, The

Hotel Covington, a new residential & mixed-use development expected to arrive at Pike & Washington Streets (at a price tag in the tens of millions), the redevelopment of the Mutual Building, and numerous residential projects.

The city has also emerged as a center of activity for start-ups and entrepreneurs in informatics and life sciences with UpTech, bioLOGIC, Bad Girl Ventures, and Braxton Brewery among the headliners in that respect.

The next city commission is tasked with maintaining and accelerating that momentum, while also developing a strategy to deal with its aging housing stock and attracting a marquee development on the underused riverfront.

The winners will work with Mayor Sherry Carran who has two years left in her term.

Imagine a Covington where families are successful and all children are supported and valued. Imagine, for just a moment, a community where all children grow up with the opportunity and foundation to achieve success. I believe that an intelligent and strategic focus on enhancing the jobs, housing and education throughout Covington can transform our community.

In this community, imagine healthy children laughing and playing in beautiful parks and trails, who aren’t worried about where their next meal is coming from or where they’re going to sleep that night. Imagine children hard at work

learning in community supported schools with engaged families and high expectations. Together, we can create this community.

This dream might sound impossible for Covington, but I believe we can be a community where all children can be successful. We can be a community where all families have stable, affordable and quality housing; where all parents have the training and education they need to obtain jobs to support their families. Covington can be that city.

Covington is a city with an astounding amount of assets and opportunity. From riverfront development,

historic housing stock and property ripe for development and redevelopment in Latonia and South Covington, we have the resources to be great. We need to raise our expectations for ourselves, our neighborhoods, our neighbors and city hall to leverage these assets to create the community we dream about.

If you share this dream; to create a community where families come, stay and thrive, I hope to have your support on November 4th for Covington City Commission.

Thank you.

- Jordan Huizenga

ImagInE a CoVIngTon WhERE… COVINGTON CITY CommiSSioN

aDvertIsemeNt

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INCOMING FRESHMENPARENTS AND STUDENTS WELCOME

Wednesday, November 5 6:30 p.m. In Alumni Hall

8th Grade Visitation DayTuesday, November 18

Out of district students can sign up at open house or call the high school office.

*Tour the school * Departmental Demonstrations * Introduction to Faculty

WWW.HCHSCOV.COM 859-431-1335

HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL

“A SIZE FOR ALL”

Ludlow recently celebrated its 150th birthday with a fun-filled sesquicentennial weekend.

Now it’s back to the business of attracting development to its riverfront and filling Elm Street storefronts. Mayor Ken Wynn, who filled a storefront himself with his new coffee shop this year, is running unopposed for reelection this year.

There are six seats on the city council and only three members of the current council are seeking reelection.

On the ballot are incumbents Tom Amann, Josh Boone, and Bill Mullins, who will compete with challengers Dan Ashcraft, Michele Cartwright, Julia Terry Navarre, John Van Collins, Artie Malone, and Bill Whiteley.

In Bromley, two current members of council are challenging each other to replace

outgoing Mayor David Radford. Greg Rechtin and Donnie Jobe want the city’s top elected position.

There are six council seats up for grabs but only five candidates, including incumbents Charles Foulks, Gail Smith, and Nancy Kienker, and challengers Kaleb Miller and Robert Couch.

sChool BoarDsThe independent school boards in the River Cities all have elections this year.

CovINgtoN: Incumbents Jerry Avery and Julie Geisen Scheper are on the ballot with challenger Diane Brumback. Two will be elected to four-year terms.

luDlow: Incumbents Steve Chapman, Amy Hayden, and Bill McMillen face no opposition.

NewPort: Incumbents Ramona Malone and Shaun Michael Thacker face Chris Maloney, Matthew Scott, Kathy Amanns, Laurie Cook, and David Amanns. Two will be elected.

Bellevue: Incumbents Daniel Swope, Jenny Swope Hazeres, and Dan Sparks are joined on the ballot by challenger Jon Cullick. Three will be elected.

DaytoN: Three candidates will be elected and only three are on the ballot: Incumbent Diane Gunning Huff and challengers Carrie Downard and Tom Dilts.

Ft. thomas: Seeking reelection are Lisa Duckworth, Bradley Fennell, and Scott Johnson, while the challengers are Mary Adams and John Weyer. Three will be elected.

LUDLOW, BROmLEY CITY RACES & RIVER CITY SCHOOL BOARDS

www.rcnky.com | 9

The only candidate with judicial experience

for Kenton Circuit Judge

Kathy

LAPENorthern Kentucky

attorneys rate former judge Kathy Lape

as “most qualified” candidate in every

single category

Paid for by Lape for Kenton Circuit Judge

No doubt you’ve seen a lot of campaign signs for judges. So, who’s running against whom? And for which court?

here’s the BreakDowN: The Kentucky Supreme Court race features incumbent Michelle Keller against challenger Teresa Cunningham.

The Kentucky Court of Appeals race is between incumbent Allison Jones and Justin Sanders.

IN keNtoN CouNty, the open Circuit Court seat is a race

between Kathy Lape and James Redwine. Family Court Judge Christopher Mehling is up against challenger Carl Knochelmann while Family Court Judge Lisa Osborne Bushelman faces challenger Stephanie Dietz.There is also a competitive race for Kenton District Judge featuring incumbent Ann Ruttle against Christopher Nordloh.

IN CamPBell CouNty, District Judge Gregory Popovich is being challenged by Cameron Blau.

JUdiCiAL rACeS

Thomas S. DiBello

10 | www.rcnky.com

★ Former Felony Prosecutor

★ Real Courtroom Experience

★ Endorsed by Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police

★ Endorsed by Firefighters

Paid for by Sanders for Court of Appeals Rob Sanders, Chairman; Don Fritz, Treasurer

Northern Kentucky'sONLY candidate!

ElectJUSTIN SANDERSon November 4th

BOTH COUNTIESU.S. SENATOR£ Mitch MCCONNELL (R)£ Alison Lundergan GRIMES (D)£ David PATTERSON (L)

U.S. CONGRESS£ Thomas MASSIE (R)£ Peter NEWBERRY (D)

SUPREME COURT£ Michelle KELLER£ Teresa CUNNINGHAM

COURT OF APPEALS£ Justin SANDERS£ Allison JONES

KENTON COUNTyCIRCUIT JUDGE - 1ST DIvISION£ Kathleen LAPE£ James REDWINE

CIRCUIT JUDGE - FAMILy COURT - 2ND DIvISION£ Carl KNOCHELMANN£ Chris MEHLING

CIRCUIT JUDGE - FAMILy COURT - 5TH DIvISION£ Lisa Osborne BUSHELMAN£ Stephanie DIETZ

DISTRICT JUDGE - 1ST DIvISION£ Ann RUTTLE£ Christopher NORDLOH

COUNTy CLERK£ Gabrielle SUMME (R)£ Christopher ROBINSON (L)

SHERIFF£ Charles L. KORZENBORN (R)£ Marc CHAPMAN (D)

PvA£ Darlene PLUMMER (R)£ Mark VOGT (D)

SURvEyOR£ James SHUMATE (R)£ Gregory BARKER (D)

SOIL & wATER DISTRICT(Elect three)£ Aliena HOWARD£ James KRIESSL£ Marc HULT£ Nancy KLOENTRUP

COvINGTON CITy COMMISSION(Elect Four)£ Bill WELLS£ Warner ALLEN£ Midred RAINS£ Jordan HUIZENGA£ Chuck EILERMAN£ Christi BLAIR£ Steve FRANK£ Michelle WILLIAMS

BALLotS feAtUriNG CoNteSted rACeS

www.rcnky.com | 11

COvINGTON SCHOOL BOARD(Elect two)£ Julie Giesen SCHEPER£ Diane BRUMBACK£ Jerry AVERY

LUDLOw CITy COUNCIL(Elect six)£ Michelle CARTWRIGHT£ John Van COLLINS£ Julia Terry NAVARRE£ Artie MALONE£ Tom AMANN£ Bill WHITELEY£ William “Bill” MULLINS£ Josh A. BOONE£ Dan ASHCRAFT

BROMLEy MAyOR£ Greg RECHTIN£ Donnie JOBE

CAMPBELL COUNTySTATE SENATOR 24TH DISTRICT£ Wil SCHRODER (R)£ Jason STEFFEN (D)

STATE REPRESENTATIvE 68TH DISTRICT£ Joseph FISCHER (R)£ Shae HORNBACK (D)

DISTRICT JUDGE - 1ST DIvISION£ Cameron BLAU£ Gregory POPOVICH

JUDGE-EXECUTIvE£ Steve PENDERY (R)£ Ken RECHTIN (D)

COUNTy COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1£ Brian PAINTER (R)£ Rene HEINRICH (D)

COUNTy COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2£ Charlie “Coach” COLEMAN (R)£ Melanie Steidel PELLE (D)

COUNTy COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3£ Tom LAMPE (R)£ Mark RAMLER (D)

COUNTy CLERK£ Jim LUERSEN (R)£ Marc MUENCH (D)

SHERIFF£ Mike JANSEN (R)£ Scott HILDEBRAND (D)

JAILER£ James DALEY (R)£ M. “Ed” HEHMAN (D)

PvA£ Daniel Kent BRAUN (R)£ Andrea JANOVIC (D)

CORONER£ Mark SCHWEITZER (R)£ Matthew CLINE (D)

SOIL & wATER DISTRICT(Elect three)£ Ken MCCORMICK£ Pete GARRETT

£ Dennis WALTER£ William Sanford RECORD

BELLEvUE MAyOR£ Ed RIEHL£ Carol RICH

BELLEvUE CITy COUNCIL(Elect six)£ Ryan KUNNEN£ Ryan SALZMAN£ Matthew OLLIGES£ Joseph Kevin WRIGHT£ Stephen GUIDUGLI£ Rodney POYNTER£ David SLATER£ John GRIESS£ Melissa TATUM£ Bill HELTON

BELLEvUE SCHOOL BOARD(Elect three)£ Daniel SWOPE£ Jon CULLICK£ Jenny Swope HAZERES£ Dan SPARKS

DAyTON MAyOR£ Ken RANKLE£ Virgil BORUSKE

DAyTON CITy COUNCIL(Elect six)£ Ben BAKER£ Cathy Lenz VOLTER£ Jennifer SIERRA£ Dennis “Denny” LYNN£ Robert REYNOLDS£ Jerry GIFFORD£ William “Bill” BURNS£ Jeff HAAS£ Leslie R. CARR£ Joseph TUCKER£ Joseph “Joe” NEARY

FORT THOMAS CITy COUNCIL(Elect six)£ Ken BOWMAN£ Lisa KELLY£ Roger PETERMAN£ Adam MEIER£ John MULLER£ Anthony BONOMINI£ Jeff BEZOLD£ Robert “Bo” WASSER (write-in)

FORT THOMAS SCHOOL BOARD(Elect three)£ Lisa DUCKWORTH£ Bradley FENNELL£ Scott JOHNSON£ Mary ADAMS£ John WEYER

NEwPORT CITy COMMISSION(Elect four)£ Beth FENNELL£ Thomas GUIDUGLI£ John HAYDEN£ Frank PELUSO£ Kenneth HORNBACK£ Joseph STALLKAMP

NEwPORT SCHOOL BOARD(Elect two)£ Ramona MALONE£ Shaun Michael THACKER£ Chris MALONEY£ Matthew SCOTT£ Kathy AMANNS£ Laurie COOK£ David AMANNS

12 | www.rcnky.com

They have served together at the Campbell County Fiscal Court for a dozen years but now face each other at the ballot box for the first time.

The race for Campbell County Judge-Executive is arguably the main event in Northern Kentucky on Election Day this year. The winner will lead a county experiencing urban revitalization, expansion of Northern Kentucky University, and growing suburbs.

He will also work closely with Sanitation District 1 as it navigates a tough time in its history, and will work alongside

the Tri-County Economic Development Authority (Tri-ED).

Republican Steve Pendery was elected to the county’s top job in 1998 after serving as mayor of Ft. Thomas for eight years and previously on the city council there. Democrat Ken Rechtin was elected County Commissioner in 2002 after serving nine years as a Newport City Commissioner.

Both candidates are running strong campaigns. Full coverage of the race can be found at www.RCNky.com.

CAmPBELL COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE

www.rcnky.com | 13

“Real Values foR Real PeoPle”

Cast Your Vote For Real Fiscal ConservativesPutting the Citizens of Campbell County First!

Vote Democratic!

Tuesday, NoVembeR 4, 20146:00 a.m. To 6:00 P.m.

At your local polling placeInformation regarding Absentee Ballots—

Campbell County Clerk’s Office 859-292-3885

In person absentee voting starts the afternoon of October 14th in the Newport Office of the Campbell County Clerk’s Office

Fiscal Court Bldg. • 2nd Floor • 1098 Monmouth Street

FoR moRe inFoRmation about CamPbell CountY CanDiDates go to:

www.facebook.com/CampbellCountyDemocrats

Pd. For by Campbell County Democratic Executive Committee John C. Fischer, Trea.

Who will serve with the next Judge-Executive? The three county commission seats that comprise the rest of the Campbell County Fiscal Court are all up for grabs with challengers from both parties vying for a spot.

In the first district, Republican Brian Painter is seeking reelection against Democrat Rene Heinrich.

The second district features Republican Charlie “Coach” Coleman who defeated incumbent Pete Garrett in May’s GOP primary, against Democrat Melanie Steidel Pelle.

Ken Rechtin is vacating his third district seat to make a run for Judge-Executive and Democrat Mark Ramler is facing Republican Tom Lampe.

Campbell County is unique in Northern Kentucky in that nearly every single partisan office is being challenged, with candidates from both major parties waging a campaign. Which party controls the county for the next four years will be determined in November. Currently, the Republicans hold a 3-1 advantage at the Fiscal Court.

CAmPBELL COUNTY CommiSSioN

14 | www.rcnky.com

Vote November 4th

Hildebrand for Sheriff

• Participated in the Cops N Kids program for over 10 years with my family • Raised thousands of dollars over the last 12 years through the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge • Served as a volunteer firefighter for over 10 years including CPR instructor

Certified police officer for over 14 years Certified instructor of Specialized Use of Force Instructor of Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) for women Field training officer Accident Reconstructionist State Trustee Chairman for the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)

Hello, my name is Scott Hildebrand. I am the son of Janet and Ray Hildebrand. I have been happily married to my wife, Michelle for 23 years. I have 5 daughters and three grandchildren. I started my career at the Dayton Police Department then made a career move to the Campbell County Police Department. After a short break from police work I discovered that I wanted to spend the rest of my career serving the community. I was hired by the Cold Spring Police Department and have been there for the last six years.

www.rcnky.com | 15

Up and down the ballot, there will be Democrats taking on Republicans, making Campbell County the center of the political universe in Northern Kentucky on Election Day.

ProPerty valuatIoN aDmINIstrator: Incumbent Republican Daniel Kent Braun faces Democrat Andrea Janovic.

CouNty Clerk: Jack Snodgrass is not on the ballot this year. Seeking to replace him are Republican Jim Luersen and Democrat Marc Muench.

sherIFF: Republican Mike Jansen defeated incumbent Sheriff Jeff Kidwell in May’s

GOP primary and now faces Democrat Scott Hildebrand.

JaIler: Incumbent Republican James Daley, who was appointed to the job in 2013, emerged from the Republican primary to face Democrat M. “Ed” Hehman.

CoroNer: Longtime incumbent Republican Mark Schweitzer seeks reelection against Democrat Matthew Cline.

soIl & water CoNservatIoN DIstrICt: Ken McCormick, Pete Garrett, Dennis Walter, and William Sanford Record are facing off for three seats.

CAmPBELL CoUNtY rACeS

DEXTERA PHOTOGRAPHY

16 | www.rcnky.com

The two largest cities in Campbell County have competitive races for their respective city governmental bodies.

There is no mayor’s race in Newport as Jerry Peluso is in the middle of his term, and in Ft. Thomas, Councilman Eric Haas is running unopposed to replace the retiring Mary Brown.

All four members of the Newport City Commission, who have presided over some large developments in the past few years, are seeking reelection.

oN the Ballot: Incumbents Beth Fennell, Thomas Guidugli, John Hayden, and Frank Peluso who face challengers Kenneth Hornback and Joseph Stallkamp.

Three members of the Ft. Thomas City Council hope to be returned to that six-member body. Incumbents Ken Bowman, Lisa Kelly, and Roger Peterman are competing for seats against challengers Adam Meier, John Muller, Anthony Bonomini, Jeff Bezold, and write-in candidate Robert “Bo” Wasser.

These twin River Cities are very much alike and are often identified together. Incidentally, both cities have highly competitive mayoral and city council races.

You will want to keep an eye on both of these cities on Election Day.

Bellevue, with its bustling Fairfield Avenue, will see a mayor’s race between incumbent Ed Riehl and City Council member Carol Rich.

The six seats on its city council are also up for grabs and at least two seats will be filled by newcomers as Rich goes for the mayor’s job and Kathy Almoslechner retires. Incumbents Matthew Olliges, Stephen Guidugli, J. Rodney Poytner, and Bill Helton are seeking reelection.

Challengers include Ryan Kunnen, Ryan Salzman, Joseph Kevin Wright, David Slater, John Griess, and Melissa Tatum.

IN DaytoN, there is a race between incumbent Mayor Ken Rankle and Councilman Virgil Boruske. The six-member city council is also up for grabs and at least three seats will be filled by newcomers as member Penny Hurtt retires, Ron Gunning, who replaced Bobby Allen who resigned, is not running, and Boruske is seeking the mayor’s job.

Incumbents Cathy Lenz Volter, Jerry Gifford, and William “Bill” Burns are seeking reelection. Challengers include Ben Baker, Jennifer Sierra, Dennis (Denny) Lynn, Robert Reynolds, Jeff Haas, Leslie R. Carr, Joseph Tucker, and Joseph “Joe” Neary.

NEWPORT & FT. THOmAS

BELLEVUE & DAYTON

Let’S Get SoCiAL!

NEWPORT & FT. THOmAS

18 | www.rcnky.com

The Republican Party of Kentucky has embarked on a campaign to take control of the House of Representatives in Frankfort. The GOP already has the Senate and its #FlipTheHouse social media campaign is drawing attention to races across the Commonwealth where they hope to pick up a few seats in the lower chamber of the General Assembly.

But in spite of that push, two Democratic members of the House from Northern Kentucky are sailing to reelection this year without challenge: Wilder’s Dennis Keene and Covington’s Arnold Simpson.

Campbell County is home to the only contested House race in the region. Democrat Shae Hornback of Cold Spring is challenging

incumbent Republican Joe Fischer of Fort Thomas. Fischer has held the 68th district seat since first being elected in 1998.

Meanwhile, Campbell County is also at the center of the only contested State Senate race in the region as both parties nominated candidates to replace the retiring Republican Katie Stine of Southgate. Democrat Jason Steffen is up against Republican Wil Schroder to represent the 24th district, which includes all of Campbell County and parts of Bracken and Pendleton Counties, too.

The winners of those two races will join the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus which works together to advance regional causes at the state level. When the next session

of the General Assembly convenes in January, there will be significant local issues receiving statewide attention.

Will an agreement be reached on how to proceed on the Brent Spence Bridge project, if legislators determine that they need to proceed at all? And what about CVG International Airport? A recent examination by State Auditor Adam Edelen made some drastic recommendations to how the Kenton County Airport Board is structured and how it governs the airport.

Will the legislature act? How will members of the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus vote on any proposed legislation?

These are some of the big questions the legislators will face early next year.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANd StAte SeNAtor

www.rcnky.com | 19

MITCH MCCONNELL

REFUSES TO ADDRESS OUR

MOST PRESSING ISSUES:

NO HELP FOR BRENT SPENCE BRIDGENO PLAN TO COMBAT DRUG USE

30 YEARS IS LONG ENOUGH.

— The Kentucky Enquirer, 9/25/14

“He didn’t mention the Brent Spence Bridge in his speech.”

He “didn’t reveal much about how he planned on attacking heroin abuse.”

He confessed “progress has been slow on both issues.”

Paid for by Alison for Kentucky.

The eyes of the nation will be on Kentucky on Election Day.

The national Republicans are banking on the opportunity to seize control of the U.S. Senate and no one has been more outspoken about those hopes than our own Senator Mitch McConnell, who currently serves as Minority Leader.

Often at campaign stops he makes a football analogy, comparing his current role to that of a defensive coordinator, but suggesting that he could get more done if he were the offensive coordinator.

In this case, the offensive coordinator would be the Senate Majority Leader. The Republican McConnell, first elected in 1984, is hoping for another six years in Washington, and this time, he wants to lead the party while it is in charge of the upper chamber.

Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes stands in his way, and polls have shown each with leads as the big day approaches.

While the statewide campaign has focused on each candidate’s positions on issues like coal and health care, both McConnell and Grimes have made their specific pitches to Northern Kentucky. Both presented plans to fund the $2.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge project, though neither’s was particularly well received as feasible in the near term.

Both have also made frequent stops to the region over the past few weeks. They understand the importance of Northern Kentucky in this race.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, the Lewis County Republican who represents the region in the House of Representatives, faces a Democratic challenger in November. Peter Newberry, a Newport business owner, has made the bridge issue

the centerpiece of his campaign, at least as far as his yard signs are concerned.

They read: Newberry, New Bridge, No Tolls.

Massie, the former Lewis County Judge-Executive, is in his first term in D.C. and has made a modest national name for himself after aligning with more Libertarian-minded fellow members of Congress.

U.S. CONGRESS AND U.S. SENATE

Let’S Get SoCiAL!

FOR MORE INFORMATION vISIT www.RCNKy.COM

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U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDGREENFIELD, INPERMIT NO. 220

306 Greenup St.Floor 1Covington, KY 41011

NOV. 4 6PMLIVERESULTS

UP-TO-THE-MINUTE ELECTION RESULTS

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