Two Northern Kentucky Republicans from different points on their party’s political spectrum are competing in Kentucky’s 66th House district primary race.
Ed Massey held the seat for four years and wants to return in 2025. The Hebron attorney and partner of Blankenship, Massey & Associates was one of three NKY committee chairs routed by Liberty Republicans in the 2022 primary election. He is running to replace the lawmaker who beat him – Rep. Steve Rawlings (R-Burlington), who is now running for the seat of retiring state Sen. John Schickel (R-Union).
TJ Roberts is running against Massey. The Burlington attorney aligns politically with Rawlings, joining the lawmaker when Rawlings filed his Senate candidacy with the Kentucky secretary of state in December.
The winner of the 66th House District primary will face Democrat Peggy Houston-Nienaber of Union on Nov. 5.
The 66th House District represents parts of Burlington and Hebron as well as Belleview and Petersburg in Boone County.
Ed Massey
Ed Massey told LINK nky pointedly in December that, while he doesn’t identify with the Liberty Republican caucus, he is definitely Republican.
“I’ve not changed. I’ve been a Republican since I started. I’m a conservative,” Massey told LINK.
His endorsements include Boone County Attorney Bob Neace and former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft, a 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial candidate that was appointed U.N. ambassador by President Trump in 2019 after serving as U.S. ambassador to Canada early in the Trump administration.
Massey is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and NKU’s Chase College of Law. He and his wife, Anita, have three daughters and two grandchildren.
LINK nky asked Massey to respond to two questions about his plans if he is elected to the 66th District House seat. These are his responses:
What plans do you have for Northern Kentucky?
“1. To ensure that one of the most productive economic regions of the state is well represented. (In 2022, NKY had five chairs of committees in Frankfort. After the election we have one chair. Chairs are the air traffic controllers for bills processing through the system and therefore NKY took a huge hit as to representation.)
“2. To promote business and development in the region which is the heart of the nation.
“3. To ensure a strong educational environment through public, private and/or school choice options. The key is that all children should have the opportunity to be college, career, or life ready after graduation.
“4. Establish child care options for workers to fill the vacancies that currently exist in the workforce.
“5. To ensure that our local police, fire and EMS providers are adequately staffed, and resources are available to recruit and retain the workforce needed.”
How will you make sure NKY’s voice is heard in Frankfort?
“1. By returning to a leadership role, I will provide Northern Kentucky with the leadership and representation that we are lacking. (The current members who replaced the committee chairs have not had any significant impact in the General Assembly.)
“2. Based on years of experience in the region, I am well positioned to address several issues including education, small business growth, infrastructure, transportation, and economic development.
“3. As a small business owner and employer, I have been exposed to operational strategies.
“4. I will use my 28 years of public service as a backdrop to my continued efforts.
“5. I will use my 31 years as an attorney to advocate for the Northern Kentucky region.”
TJ Roberts
TJ Roberts is considered a protégé of U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, and Massie in March endorsed the Boone County candidate. He also has received endorsements from Northern Kentucky Right To Life, a political action committee, and Boone County Republican Party Chairman Chet Hand.
The Boone County Republican Party endorsement was announced by Roberts on April 3, more than two months after the organization passed a resolution censuring Massey as a candidate in the 66th district race.
Roberts is a graduate of NKU’s Chase College of Law. He lives on a farm in Burlington.
LINK nky asked Roberts to respond to two questions about his plans if he is elected to the 66th District House seat. These are his responses:
What plans do you have for Northern Kentucky?
“I intend to work with the Northern Kentucky caucus to ensure that the interests of Northern Kentucky, especially Boone County, are represented in the legislature. I intend to do this by doing everything in my power to cut taxes, make it easier for small businesses to thrive, and to bring home our tax dollars in a way that ensures our roads, bridges and key infrastructure projects receive the attention they need and deserve.
“I further intend to fight for Northern Kentucky’s interests by advocating for the true role of government, which is to fight for life, liberty and property, so that Northern Kentucky families can thrive. Strong families, led by strong faith, are the keys to prosperity.”
How will you make sure NKY’s voice is heard in Frankfort?
“I will make sure NKY’s voice is heard in Frankfort by fighting for rules reforms to ensure that every member of the legislature, including the 18 members of the Northern Kentucky caucus, have the power to push for legislation that truly empowers their districts. I am fully supportive of the rules reform package that was proposed in the House in January of the 2024 session (with the support of several Northern Kentucky conservatives) that would have given the individual members of the legislature the ability to move their legislation. I believe that, so long as Northern Kentucky puts up a united front, we will be able to lead by example in the legislature and ensure the interests of Northern Kentucky are represented in Frankfort.”