In the heavily Republican House District 68, Democrat Kelly Jones faces a challenge for the open seat against Republican Mike Clines.
Both candidates are political rookies competing for a seat currently held by Joseph Fischer (R-Fort Thomas), who is running for the Kentucky Supreme Court. Fischer has held the seat since 1999. Before him, Republican Katie Stine held the seat. The last Democrat to hold the seat was Bellevue’s Bill Donnermeyer, who served in the House of Representatives from 1970 to 1994.
But, the Kentucky voter rolls flipped from Democratic to Republican control in 2022, and this district went heavily for Donald Trump in the presidential elections.
Republican Clines worked for the Diocese of Covington for nearly 27 years. Most recently served as the lead consultant on a potential private school called Urban Academy with Bill Butler, CEO of Corporex.
“The House District 68 position is the only political position that ever interested me,” Clines said of his interest in the office. “This office represents the community I care about, my hometown, and we need to keep moving District 68 and Kentucky forward and get our nation back on track.”
Jones said she entered the race because of the arrival of a charter school in Northern Kentucky. Her opponent has been involved with the group, specifically working as the lead consultant for Butler, until Aug. 1, 2022.
“I did not have intentions of running for office this year, but when I saw that charter schools were coming to Kentucky, I knew that I had no choice but to run to protect the interests of my children and the families in District 68,” Jones said.
Jones has attacked Clines over his involvement with Urban Academy, which could potentially become a charter school after the passage of House Bill 9, a bill that provides a funding mechanism for charter schools and will bring a pilot charter school to Northern Kentucky by 2024.
“These for-profit pyramid schemes disguised as charter schools will dismantle public and parochial schools in an effort for those at the top to make a quick buck,” Jones said.
Clines said his personal and professional life have prepared him for the position.
“I have spent my entire career serving the northern Kentucky community, and I want to continue to serve and support our community’s needs,” Clines said.
He also said he wants to focus on more significant issues facing the country.
“On a larger scale, I’m ready to fight inflation through pro-growth tax reform and work towards job-creating policies at our state capitol. I know what a special place our community is, its hidden talents, and I have experience getting things done in our region.”
But, Jones said that a state legislator couldn’t tackle inflation or other large national issues.
“I am not going to claim that I can accomplish things I cannot, like fixing inflation or stopping the president. Those things are simply not state representative-level issues. I am not going to present myself as something I am not,” Jones said.
Clines has significantly outraised Jones, according to the 60-day pre-election filings from the Kentucky Registry for Campaign Finance.
Jones raised $9,466 in individual contributions and $5,000 from PACs. PACs include Kepac, Kentucky Women’s Network PAC, and Ibew PAC Voluntary Fund.
She also received $2,000 from the Campbell County Democratic Executive Committee.
There are no notable contributions.
Beginning Balance: $0
Total Receipts: $16,466
Total Expenditures: $7,355
Ending Balance: $9,110
Clines raised $27,280 from individual contributions and $5,000 from PACs. PACs include Northern Kentucky Chamber PAC, Bluegrass Committee, KY Attorneys PAC, Kentucky Chamber PAC, Make A Sensible Shift In Elections PAC, and he transferred $3,187.81 from his previous campaign funds.
Notable contributions include $2,000 from Joe Craft, a coal magnate and husband of Kelly Craft, a gubernatorial candidate; $1,500 from Thomas Munninghoff, president of Munninghoff Lange & Co. $1,000 from David Heidrich, CEO of Zalla Companies; $500 from Kris Knochelmann, Kenton County Judge Executive; $1,000 from Debbie Franzen, wife of Campbell County Attorney Steve Franzen; $500 from Steve Pendery, Campbell County Judge Executive; and $2,000 from Bill Butler, CEO of Corporex.
Beginning Balance: $0
Total Receipts: $35,468
Total Expenditures: $5,127
Ending Balance: $30,340