In August of 2021, Republican Steve Doan was named to an empty seat on the Erlanger City Council. Just over a year later, he’s heading to the general election for the 69th House District against Democrat Chris Brown.
Doan defeated Rep. Adam Koenig (R-Erlanger) in the Republican primary in May, surprising Northern Kentucky and the rest of the Commonwealth. Koenig chairs the Licensing and Occupations Committee and has held the seat since 2006. Koenig has been instrumental in pushing sports betting in the state.
Doan faces Brown in a contest that’s become heated in recent weeks. Doan recently called on his Democratic opponent to withdraw from the race after the latter’s arrest record came to light when Doan released the documents to the media.
“The voters of the 69th district deserve a candidate of upstanding moral character who can focus on solving pressing issues in Frankfort as opposed to being embroiled in personal scandals,” Doan said.
Records show that Brown pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of physical harassment with physical contact but no injury on Oct. 4, 2011.
“I have accepted responsibility for the mistakes I’ve made in the past, and I have learned from them,” Brown said. “As I have said before, I am running to represent the people of the 69th district because of my life experiences, not despite them.”
The Brown campaign alleged that the Doan campaign sent personally identifying information of four individuals in unredacted police reports to the media.
“Steve Doan is running scared and wants to talk about anything other than his extreme positions on the issues, which is why he launched this laughable personal attack,” Brown said in the statement at the time.
But, as the campaign moves forward, both candidates seem to be focused on what they would offer as legislators.
“I am running for this office because, over the last two years, one thing has become apparent to voters of my district: ‘the primary role of the government is to take money from individuals and funnel it into the hands of corporations.’ This is not what our founding fathers had in mind, and this is not how our government should operate. I will always put the freedoms and liberties of the people over the desires of the corporate special interest,” Doan said.
Brown said she wants to fight for everyone in the community, not just special interests.
“Our rights, communities, and families are under attack by a new type of Republican extremist in Northern Kentucky that wants to take away our rights, defund our public schools, take away our healthcare, strip benefits away from educators and first responders, and further burden everyday Kentuckians and local governments with higher taxes,” Brown said.
Doan has served in a variety of governmental roles over the past ten years, including the executive branch as the General Counsel for the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy under Governor Matt Bevin, and as a private attorney litigating in the judicial branch, and in the legislative branch as a member of Erlanger City Council.
“I understand when the government takes action, it affects the quality of people’s lives, Doan said. “This is why it is so important that we have leaders who understand how to craft meaningful policies and the downstream consequences of those policies.”
Brown said it’s her experience as a human relations professional that allows her to find common ground to achieve goals.
“Common sense, adaptability, diplomacy, authentic life experience, and a passion for serving the community,” Brown said. “As an HR & Workforce development professional and single mother, I’m adept at finding common ground to achieve goals, relatable and passionate about working to build a better future for our families and our communities.”
Brown has slightly outraised Doan, with her total campaign receipts amounting to $30,621.98. Doan’s total campaign receipts amount to $24,390.08.
To learn more about Steve Doan’s campaign, visit his website. To learn more about Chris Brown’s campaign, visit her website.
