Chris McDaniel squares off with local business owner Jennifer Sierra in the 23rd Senate District race to represent north Kenton County.
McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, is a former commissioned U.S. Army officer and president of McD Concrete in Erlanger. He’s running for a fourth term in the Kentucky Senate, where he chairs the powerful Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Sierra, D-Covington, is a small business owner, artist and children’s book author.
When LINK nky asked both candidates what the district should expect from them if elected, McDaniel emphasized lower taxes, investments in education, infrastructure and quality of life. Sierra emphasized reproductive rights, support for public education, better health care and economic growth, including in Kentucky’s clean energy sector.
As budget chair, McDaniel played a key role in helping to lower the state income tax under a 2022 law that allowed the individual tax rate to fall to 4% over the past two fiscal years. He said Northern Kentucky can expect lower taxes if he is elected, and that he would be in favor of lowering Kentucky’s income tax to zero.
“I have a record of accomplishment for Northern Kentucky,” he told LINK. “I have been at the forefront of reducing taxes by 33%, crafting incentives to recruit companies like Amazon and Coca-Cola, and shoring up safety nets for our most vulnerable.”
Projects brought to the region while McDaniel has held the 23rd District seat include the Brent Spence Bridge project, Fourth Street Bridge project and funding for a new biomedical center at the old IRS site in Covington.
“Along with numerous other projects, I have been at the forefront of demonstrating that a conservative approach to government delivers major wins for our region,” McDaniel told LINK.
McDaniel was born in Covington and grew up in Taylor Mill. He graduated from Covington Latin, then the Citadel before being commissioned as an infantry officer in the United States Army. He currently lives in Ryland Heights with his wife, Renee, and six children.
Sierra said she is running against McDaniel “because District 23 is not being represented or heard on the issues that impact their lives, like women’s reproductive rights, quality public education, health care access and affordability, workers’ rights and protecting our environment.”
The owner of Framed NKY and Silver Sun Studio in Crescent Springs, artist and author of the children’s book “Merry Christmas, Y’all” said her “persistent, compassionate and honest” leadership style will make her the effective leader Kentuckians expect.
“I am a creative person, and will go to Frankfort ready to listen to my constituents and my colleagues and work together to find solutions to the problems that face Northern Kentucky,” she told LINK. “I am a small business owner and will support policies that encourage strong economic growth and bring good jobs” to NKY.
If Sierra wins, it will be the first time a Democrat has won the 23rd district since Joe Meyer, now Covington’s mayor, held the seat from 1980 to 1997.
Sierra has served on the boards of nonprofit organizations including the March of Dimes, Women Helping Women. She has also volunteered with local arts organizations including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Sierra says, on her campaign website, that she wants to see working Kentuckians treated fairly and get the benefits they need and deserve.
McDaniel – who described his leadership style to LINK as “from the front” – had two words to describe why he is hoping to win a fourth term: servant leadership, which he believes he delivers.
“I believe firmly in the greatness of our nation and our commonwealth,” McDaniel said. “Providing servant leadership is the only way to preserve that greatness, which is why I am running.”
Kentucky Senate District 23 is made up of mostly of Kenton County, including parts of Covington, Park Hills, Villa Hills, Crescent Springs, Fort Wright, Crestview Hills, Erlanger and Taylor Mill.