Limited government versus more responsive government is at the crux of the 2024 race to represent the 66th House District in northwest Boone County.
Northern Kentucky attorney and Republican T.J. Roberts of Burlington and Democratic school teacher Peggy Houston Nienaber of Union are in the race for the seat now held by Rep. Steve Rawlings, a Burlington Republican who this year is running unopposed for the state Senate.
Roberts, like Rawlings, is a constitutional conservative who believes in limited government. He said the district expects him to “fight for a limited government that respects the faith, families and freedoms of Kentuckians.”
“Part of what I’m focused on is not what I’m going to do but more so what I’m not going to do,” the fourth-generation Boone countian told LINK nky. “I’m not here to run your life; I don’t know how to raise your family. The constitution doesn’t give me the authority to run your life or raise your family, and, even if it did, I wouldn’t be comfortable doing that.
“I’m focused on ensuring we have a government that focuses on protecting individual liberty and facilitating human prosperity,” he said.
As such, Roberts’ campaign website says that he is in favor of school choice and parental rights, and told LINK nky he will be voting yes on Amendment 2. It also says that he is taking the fight to Gov. Andy Beshear.
“Get ready,” his website says, “because TJ’s taking the fight straight to Beshear’s doorstep. No more government outreach – TJ’s got your back.”
Roberts boasts endorsements by Congressman Thomas Massie, Boone County Commissioner Chet Hand, Rep. Savannah Maddox and Rep. Steve Rawlings, among others.
Houston Nienaber, a former accountant and real estate agent, said she is running “because the Kentucky legislature needs representation that cares for the people of Kentucky.”
She cited concerns about medicine prices, wages and public school funding.
“I am a proud Boone County, Kentuckian and I decided to run because our legislature needs people like me,” she says on her campaign website. “ My accounting/finance experience and my ability to communicate effectively will help lift up Kentuckians and bring our state to the level it needs.”
Houston Nienaber said she’s focused on helping current and future generations in a state where she said public schools need more support and health care needs are underserved.
“Our public schools deserve to be enhanced instead of constantly belittled and held in contempt with the legislature,” Houston Nienaber told LINK.
When asked how she will deliver as a lawmaker, Houston Nienaber said she’ll work well with others. Collaboration and building consensus in Frankfort is, she said, “essential.”
“A state representative should be able to collaborate effectively with colleagues from both their own and other parties, building coalitions to pass legislation and address issues,” she said.
Roberts – one of three local churchgoers who successfully sued the Beshear administration after they were ordered to quarantine or possibly face misdemeanor charges for attending Easter morning church services against Beshear’s COVID-19 orders in 2020 – is willing to challenge the status quo when necessary, he told LINK.
“The biggest thing I want to leave as a legacy is standing up for the average person against those who would suppress their pursuit of what gives them meaning,” Roberts told LINK. Reducing taxes, legislatively supporting small business and local infrastructure, and keeping government where he believes it belongs are among his plans if elected.
“I 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,” Roberts said.
House District 66 is made up of part of Boone County, including Hebron, Burlington and Florence.