The Kentucky primary election will be held on May 17, and the general election is November 8.
Photo: Mark Payne.


by Robin Gee

Four people, three Republicans and one Democrat, are vying for the seat formerly held by Sen. Wil Schroder to represent Kentucky Senate District 24. The primary election for both Republicans and Democrats will be held on May 17. The general election is set for November 8.

The three Republicans include Shelley Funke Frommeyer, Jessica Neal and Chris Robinson. Robinson initially filed to run in the primary for Kentucky House District 68 but redistricting changed the Grant’s Lick resident’s district to 78. He said he saw no need to challenge the GOP incumbent in that district and made the decision to join the senate race.

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Highland Heights city council member Rene Heinrich has joined the race for the seat on the Democratic side.

The primary election for both Republicans and Democrats will be held on May 17. The general election is set for November 8.

Shelley Funke Frommeyer (Republican)

Shelley Funke Frommeyer

“My husband Richard and I felt called to get involved and do our part for the community, and I have spent a lot of time meeting with people and listening to their concerns. Their encouragement and support for the issues that are important to me, fiscal responsibility, smaller more efficient government, the protection of individual freedoms and commitment to strong family values, made it clear this is a position where I can make a real difference,” said Frommeyer.

A financial planner from Alexandria, she is busy preparing for her run. So far, she’s raised $20,000, she said, and has more fundraisers planned. “I am running for the state senate to be a voice for all the people, and before I began grabbing cash as a fast as possible, I wanted to make sure there was grassroots support for our agenda, and clearly there is,” she said.

“We need leadership in Frankfort focused on removing barriers to business development: programs geared toward encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners and a firm commitment against growing government using one time money from Washington that is compounding the massive debt we are passing on to our children.”

Frommeyer grew up on a farm in rural Kenton County and graduated from the University of Kentucky. After becoming a Certified Financial Planner, she joined her father’s firm. After her father’s retirement in 2012, she moved the business to the Covington RiverCenter and continues to council clients in financial planning.

“I am going to Frankfort to lead in the example of good people like former Senator Art Schmidt who served our community with a compassionate conservative heart, whose daughter Mary Ann signed my filing papers. I want to emulate the leadership of people like Pendleton County Republican Party Vice Chair David Shipp, who also signed my papers,” she said.

“I am going to Frankfort to serve the people, make a difference, and come home. My career has been financial management not politics, and I am not entering the arena for a new career, but as an opportunity to serve others.”

Rene Heinrich (Democrat) 

 

Rene Henrich is joined by her family as she files to run

“Today, I’m excited to announce my candidacy for State Senate in the newly drawn 24th district. We need leaders with integrity who will bring a collaborative approach to legislating in Frankfort. I’m excited to offer my leadership experience, my love for our region, and my strong belief that we can do much better in Frankfort, to the people of Campbell, Bracken, Pendleton and now a portion of Kenton Counties,” said Heinrich.

Heinrich is an attorney with a practice in Newport and has represented more than 2,000 children and their families in neglect and abuse cases. She is a member of Highland Heights city council and graduated from Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University.

“We can do things like work to protect our families, bring our tax dollars back to our area and ensure this district has a passionate voice advocating for all of us, and I am fired up to fight for those things,” she said.

Jessica Neal (Republican)

Jessica Neal

“I am running for state senate to bring authentic, principled, conservative leadership to Frankfort,” said Neal.

Neal grew up in Fort Thomas and now lives in Cold Spring. She said her family has deep roots in Kentucky. A graduate of Highlands High School, she earned a bachelor in music degree with a double major in music education and performance from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

She has worked in the financial services industry for seven years before accepting a position at P.L. Marketing in Newport in 2019 where she supports The Kroger Co. in a variety of capacities including merchandising, data management and floor planning, she said.

“I have lived in Cold Spring for nine years, and I am proud to call Kentucky my home…I keep active in my community by attending local meetings in my city and county, from school board to city council. I am a member of We the People Kentucky (WTPKY), Northern Kentucky Young Republicans (NKYR), the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA). Additionally, I am a Republican Precinct Youth Captain for Cold Spring and an active committee member of the Campbell County Republican Party (CCRP),” she said.

“I am thrilled to be running for state senate in the district in which I have lived for the majority of my life. I hope to earn your vote and get the opportunity to serve my fellow Kentuckians in Frankfort as your voice for Liberty!”

LEARN MORE: HWCG.com/NorthernKentucky

Chris Robinson (Republican) 

 

Chris Robinson filing with his wife, Lisa

“Our District is a complex mix of city, suburb and farm land. The center of the district is booming from Alexandria south. We need to insure that we are strategically planning for infrastructure development along with the recruitment of industry to support the growth,” said Robinson.

“I’ve worked in an industry that shut itself down and the economic impact on the communities is devastating. Attracting businesses that have ancillary ties to locally owned small businesses is the key to long term success for our district,” he said.

“We also need to be acutely aware of the social issues in our region. Job development and training programs that encourage our workforce to pursue skilled trades is a key component of a healthy, sustainable and growing community.”

Robinson is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers veteran and licensed professional clinical counselor, and small business owner. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northern Kentucky University and a masters in education degree from Xavier University. He is also a basketball official for the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

“I’m very interested in developing resources and opportunities within our district. If we have learned anything from the past couple years, it is that the small business owners are the resilient backbone of our economy,” he said, adding, “I believe in transparency, servant leadership and access to our elected officials. I’m a Constitutional guy…and I intend to continue to uphold and defend those rights.”

Robinson lives in Grant’s Lick with his wife Lisa.