In May of 2021, Sen. Wil Schroder (R-Wilder) announced he would not seek a third term to represent the 24th District, which comprises Campbell, Pendleton, Bracken, and part of Kenton Counties, after the latest round of redistricting.
In his statement, he said that serving the 24th district was the opportunity of a lifetime.
“As we approach the time when people begin thinking about upcoming elections, I want to announce that I will not be seeking a third term as Senator. My hope is that the timing of this announcement will give potential candidates the needed time to reflect about running for this position and also give the voters of the 24th District plenty of time to become familiar with the candidates,” Schroder said in his statement.
Nearly a year after Schroder’s announcement, three Republican primary candidates have emerged to fill his position: Shelley Funke Frommeyer (R-Alexandria), Jessica Neal (R-Cold Spring), and Chris Robinson (R-Alexandria). In the fall, whoever wins will face Democratic candidate Rene Heinrich (D-Highland Heights).
The Commonwealth Educational Opportunities PAC, a pro-school choice political action committee, is running ads against candidate Chris Robinson regarding his alleged opinions on school choice. They are also running ads against other candidates in Northern Kentucky and throughout the state.
Chris Robinson
Robinson, who lives in Grant’s Lick, initially filed to run in the 68th, but Grant’s Lick was put into the 72nd District after redistricting. He lost the base he had, so he decided to reassess.
“So we kind of backed up to try to make some decisions about what to do and kind of realized that, you know, us being in the 24th district, or maybe 24th district, was a much better fit, mostly because I live here, I work in these counties,” Robinson said.
He also owns property in Bracken County. As a rural citizen of the 24th District, he believes that this is where the next population shift will be, and he thinks he is the leader of this new district.
“So ultimately, what I’m looking to do is to be a strong leader that’s got, you know, 55 years of life experience inside the district, in particular the rural or unincorporated areas,” Robinson said. “So I really understand our issues in those areas.”
The attack ad against Robinson questions his support of school choice, and he said he does support school choice. But, he was just questioning the funding model for schools.
“The only concern that I ever expressed about additional educational opportunities for children was the funding matrix,” Robinson said. “How, how will we make sure that we protect the small and rural and independent schools? Just from a funding point, I didn’t know.”
Shelley Funke Frommeyer
The Alexandria resident said she is focused on three things in her campaign: family, freedom, and safety. But family is the most important aspect, and she said all of her votes would focus on family.
“To me, that starts with respecting the sanctity of life from conception to natural death,” Frommeyer said. “I am completely and totally pro-life. I promise to vote in favor of every piece of pro-life legislation that comes before me.”
She also said that putting the economy first is an important aspect part of her campaign.
“Frankly, we’ve seen how important it is to elect people who put the economy first,” Frommeyer said. “Before 2020, our economy was growing at a record page. Unemployment was down, and wages and the stock market were up. Now, Kentucky families are having money taken out of their pocket by record inflation and rising gas prices. When I get to Frankfort, I promise that the bottom-line of Kentucky families will be my top priority.”
She believes she is the leader that the 24th needs in Frankfort.
“As a small business owner, a mom of six, and a native of Northern Kentucky, I believe I can use my background, experience, and passion for our community to serve the people of the 24th Senate District well,” Frommeyer said.
Jessica Neal
Neal did not respond to questions for this story.
In her speech at the Campbell County Republican forum, she said she decided to run after joining the Republican party last spring. She became an elected precinct youth captain for Cold Spring and has been a member of the Election Integrity Committee since its formation.
“Running for state Senate in District 24 is a task I do not take lightly,” Neal said in the speech. “The time for seat-filling politicians anointed by the power brokers is over. The true grassroots movement is here supporting fighters for liberty.”
