Published: July 17, 2009 09:26 pm      

Candidates emerge for 18th Senate District special election

Two Democrats and a Republican seek parties' nominations

FRANKFORT — Republicans seemed taken by surprise when Sen. Charlie Borders, R-Grayson, resigned Wednesday to accept Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear’s appointment to the Public Service Commission.

So was Todd Eastham, a Greenup business safety consultant – and a Democrat.

While Republicans spent several days looking for a candidate for the Aug. 25 special election – apparently focusing on Dr. Jack Ditty, a Russell dermatologist – a Democratic contender emerged immediately. Rep. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, said even before Borders’ resignation was official she’d be interested in running for his seat if he left the Senate.

Beshear introduced Webb – an attorney and veteran in the House – as the likely Democratic candidate at a fundraising event at state party headquarters Tuesday night, the day before Borders resigned. But Eastham wants Democrats in the 18th District of Bracken, Carter, Greenup, Lewis, Mason and Robertson counties to hold on while he makes his case for the nomination.

“I’m very interested in the race,” Eastham said. “I’ve been thinking about this for quite a while before this came up.”

Party executive committees will choose the nominees. Republicans were scheduled to make their choice Saturday and were expected to choose Ditty, an Ashland native who operates a Russell dermatology practice and is a staff member at King’s Daughters Medical Center and Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

Democrats will meet Tuesday night in Greenup County to choose their nominee.

Thom Karmack, communications director for the Kentucky Democratic Party, said the party will remain neutral in the selection of a nominee. Republican Party of Kentucky Chairman Steve Robertson said his party would not be involved in selecting the Republican candidate either.

Beshear has more than a passing interest. He wants a measure allowing electronic slots at horse tracks and placed the issue on the agenda of the June special session. It passed in the House but failed in Borders’ Senate budget committee. A Democratic pickup could mean another vote for slots and that likely makes the proposal a key issue in the special election.

Beshear spokesman Jay Blanton said the governor is not involved in the selection process and hasn’t spoken with members of the Democratic Executive Committee.

Ditty confirmed Friday he wants to run and said he’s the only Republican he knows is actively seeking his party’s nomination. He said Jeremy Hughes of Congressman Geoff Davis’ office would coordinate his campaign if he’s chosen as the Republican nominee.

Ditty declined for now to take a position on expanded gambling, saying he’ll issue a formal statement if he’s nominated.

“It’s too early. It’s hard to appreciate how little time we’ve had to prepare for this,” Ditty said. “It’s a little different from someone who has been preparing and working to do this for a while.”

Webb voted for the slots bill in the special session. After it died in Borders’ committee, Beshear said if supporters of expanded gambling can’t change some senators’ minds they need to change some senators.

But Eastham said Friday he opposes allowing expanded gambling only at the tracks.

“They’re going after slots at the horse tracks, right? The money will go mostly to the tracks that way,” he said. “Doesn’t the state have a budget shortfall?”

Eastham, the executive chairman of McCulley, Eastham & Associates, a business safety and health consulting firm, has served in both city and county governments. He said he will listen to his constituents on gambling and “I’ll vote their conscience.”

“Some people want the full Monte, some people don’t want anything,” he said, adding that any expanded gambling measure should not be restricted to only the horse tracks.

Webb expects a tough campaign. She’s already been asked if her license has ever been suspended. Records from the Kentucky Bar Association and the state Supreme Court indicate her license was suspended in June 1994 for non-payment of bar association dues and restored in August of 1996.

“I took a medical leave on the advice of my family doctor and didn’t pay my dues,” she said. “I was reinstated when I resumed my practice. I’ve never had any disciplinary action taken against me.”

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com.