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9th state Senate race has gotten tough
Democrats hope to pick up seat being vacated by Sanders
GLASGOW — John Butler is a Democrat who grew up in Green County in the 9th state Senate District. The political science and government teacher coaches women’s basketball at Barren County High School. He went to school with David Givens, the Republican candidate for the state Senate from Green County and he knows his Democratic opponent, broadcasting executive Steve Newberry from Barren County.
“No matter who wins,” Butler said after the primary, “the district will be well represented. They’re both good candidates.”
Both businessmen see economic development and education as the top issues. Newberry adds health care as a third while Givens talks about “protecting our values.”
But the tone of the campaign has changed from those early days of the campaign when Butler spoke and Newberry and Givens complimented the other. Leaders of both parties are involved – Gov. Steve Beshear for Newberry and Senate President David Williams for Givens. State Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond, will visit the district next week to campaign for Newberry. And the Republican Party of Kentucky is running hard-hitting ads attacking Newberry.
The race is important because it could affect the balance of power in the Senate where Republicans hold a 22-15-1 edge. During the 2007 gubernatorial campaign, Beshear promised “to take back the Senate” from Republicans.
To do it, Democrats would have to run the table, picking up seats in the 1st, where former U.S. Congressman Carroll Hubbard is challenging Republican incumbent Ken Winters; in the 17th and in the 23rd while snaring the 9th which stretches from Simpson County on the Tennessee state line to Green County and holding onto their current seats. Republican Richie Sanders of Franklin is not running for re-election in the 9th, making it attractive for Democrats.
Prominent Democrats, including Beshear, former Gov. Brereton Jones (a one-time business partner of Newberry’s) and U.S. Congressman Ben Chandler all have helped raise money for Newberry. Williams has visited the district often on behalf of Givens.
“It’s very difficult to beat an incumbent Senator,” said Worley, explaining why the 9th is so important. He called Newberry “a bright, very engaged” candidate who studies issues before he takes a position. And he criticized the Republican attack ads, saying Republicans turn to personal attacks when they can’t win on issues.
The ads try to connect Newberry to “bankers,” “liquor interests,” and “casino interests” and say he accepted an “illegal campaign contribution and didn’t return it until he got caught.”
“We’re very involved,” said RPK Chairman Steve Robertson. “It’s very, very important to us to hold that district. Steve Newberry is trying to sell voters a bill of goods.”
Apparently the first two charges in the ads are based on Newberry’s long association with Jones, a thoroughbred breeder who supports expanded gambling and has interests in a central Kentucky bank, and Beshear who wants expanded gambling. Newberry supported last year’s referendum in Glasgow to allow liquor sales by the drink in restaurants and he received a campaign contribution of $500 from the owner of a Bowling Green liquor store with ties to Glasgow. A registered lobbyist contributed $250 to Newberry’s campaign which Newberry said he returned as soon as the lobbyist, Ron Geohegan, called him to say he’d made a mistake.
“I’m disappointed in the way the campaign has changed,” Newberry said. “I have made no promises to any group or any individual in return for contributions.”
Givens said he has no control over the ads which are paid for by RPK. But he said the ads are factually correct, although he conceded he’s uncomfortable with their tone.
“I will gladly repudiate the negative tone of those ads, but the factual nature is accurate,” he said. “My opponent has tried to define who he is and I don’t feel like he’s been honest”. Givens claims Newberry is a guaranteed vote for expanded gambling.
Newberry says he’s “personally opposed” to expanded gambling and understands voting for it is an endorsement which is then offered to the public for ratification – it’s not a referendum.
“But I’m also convinced the people want to vote on it and that is the only way we’re ever going to get past the issue one way or another,” Newberry said.
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. He can be reached by e-mail at rellis@cnhi.com.
