2002 Election
General
I realize I’m stating the obvious when I say we won’t have a good handle on how much
better or worse off we are till we get to know the new folks, new committee assignments,
any changes in chairmanships or leadership.
Judiciary Committees
In the Senate, there are no changes in the Judiciary committee members’ status.
In the House Judiciary, as we knew there would be, there are two changes, one good, one
bad: Bob Heleringer and Gary Tapp are gone.
House Details
As everyone knows, the Democrats lost one seat in the house but kept a 65-35 margin
protecting the magic #60 majority needed to pass any spending or tax legislation during
the upcoming short session.
New members: There are12 new faces in the House, 5 Democrats and 7 Republicans
14" District Democrat Tommy Thompson of Owensboro — This is Mark Treesh’s old
district. Could be an improvement?
17" District Republican C.B. Embry Jr. of Morgantown — This is Woody Allen’s old
district.
24" District Republican Jimmy Higdon of Lebanon — This is William Scott’s old
district.
47" District Democrat Rick W. Rand of Bedford — This is Republican Ron Crimm’s
old district
49" District Republican Mary C. Harper — This was Democrat Larry Belcher’s
district.
54" District Republican Mike Harmon of Junction City — This was Democrat John
Bowling’s old district.
57" District Democrat Derrick W. Graham of Frankfort — This was Democrat Gippy
Graham’s old district
58" District Republican Brad Montell of Shelbyville — This was Republican Gary
Tapp’s old district.
88" District Republican Bill Farmer of Lexington — This was Republican Johnnie
Turner’s old district
90" District Republican Tim Couch of Hyden — He defeated Barbara White Colter in
the primary for this seat.
91° District Democrat Teddy Edmonds of Jackson — This is Republican Cornett’s old
district.
92" District Democrat Ancel Smith of Leburn — Defeated incumbent Democrat Phillip
Childers for this seat. This could be good news as the black book says Childers was
solidly pro-DP.
Old Folks in New Districts
33" District Republican Ron Crimm (formerly 47" District) — Crimm, of course, is not
new, but he is new to this district which was Heleringer’s.
73" District Democrat Don Pasley of Winchester— He isn’t brand new (took
R.J.Palmer’s old seat last year) but think we need to meet with him.
94" District Republican Howard Cornett — This was Democrat Ira Branham’s old
district.
Senate Details
As we all know the Republicans picked up another seat with Gary Tapp defeating Larry
Belcher strengthening their hold in the Senate to 21-17.
One new member:
6" District Democrat Jerry P. Rhoads of Madisonville — This was Democrat Dick
Adams’ old district.
Old Folks in new Districts:
20" District Republican Gary Tapp of Shelbyville (formerly House District 58
defeated Democrat Larry Belcher of Shepherdsville (formerly House District 49) —
formerly Democrat Marshall Long’s district.
30" District Democrat Daniel Mongiardo (who, of course also holds his old District 17
and declines to give it up) - This was Democrat Ed Miller’s old seat.
I’m not clear on how hard we’ve worked on him. According to your black book he’s a
% maybe on juvenile and was seen briefly in 01. As a Catholic physician maybe he
deserves more strategy? If Pat has already worked on him should we try for a prominent
Catholic in his district?
Refresher Info on Old Guard
I know this is information you already have but thought it might be convenient here to
ask for corrections or additions.
Senate
District 2 Republican Bob Leeper of Paducah — Black book says he’s pro-life and a
possible. Should we get some of our new buddies in Paducah to talk with him?
District 8 Senator David Boswell Democrat of Owensboro — As a Catholic needs more
attention from Pat and other Catholic volunteers.
District 27 Democrat Senator Walter Blevins of West Liberty — Black book says he was
abolitionist but now not sure and a maybe on juvenile. Can we recruit a priest, maybe
through Pat, in the West Liberty area to talk with him?
House
District 8 Democrat John Adams of Hopkinsville — He co-sponsored the juvenile bill but
do we know how he is on the DP? Is his ACLU wife Mary Helen anti-DP?
District 61 Democrat Royce Adams — as a yes on juvenile work him harder on DP.
District 10 Democrat Eddie Ballard of Madisonville. Another Catholic to push.
District 29 Democrat Kevin Bratcher — Keep at him.
District 32 Republican Scott Brinkman — Keep at him.
District 9 Democrat Jim Bruce of Hopkinsville — Black book says a Father Bennet can
get him?
District 18 Republican Dwight Butler — As current yes on juvenile keep at him.
District 4 Democrat Mike Cherry. — As a current yes on juvenile and someone who no
longer supports DP according to black book but concerned re politics he should get as
much coddling as we can give him.
District 46 Democrat Larry Clark — Catholic — According to black book has said he wants
to revisit DP so deserves lots of attention.
District 37 Democrat Perry Clark — Again, as a juvenile co-sponsor agreeable to
moratorium deserves lots of attention.
District 48 Republican Bob DeWeese — For juvenile, according to black book seems to be
maybe wobbly pro-DP
District 63 Republican Jon Draud — Catholic — Have we paid much attention to him?
District 59 Republican Tim Feeley- Catholic -Needs coddling toward abolition from a
Catholic in his district?
District 68 Republican Joe Fischer — Catholic - Probably still too stubborn but again if
we could manage a Catholic from the district.
District 1 Democrat Charles Geveden — black book says he’s now not sure on DP anda
maybe on juvenile.
District 60 Republican Paul Marcotte — another Catholic
District 2 Democrat Fred Nesler — Better check we still have him on juvenile as he told
me would not sign Jim Wayne’s letter for Kevin Stanford.
District 23 Republican Steve Nunn — keep at him for all the obvious reasons
District 98 Democrat Tanya Pullin — keep at her
District 20 Democrat Jody Richards
District 76 Democrat Arnold Simpson — Should be worked hard as someone concerned
re innocence and racism issues.
District 71 Democrat John Will Stacy — Black book said he called Jane Chiles and was
“uncomfortable w/DP”. Do we know what came of that?
District 26 Democrat Mike Weaver — Catholic — Keep at him.
District 22 Democrat Rob Wilkey — obvious
District 15 Democrat Brent Yonts — Keep at him.
District 75 Democrat Kathy Stein — obvious
District 95 Democrat Greg Stumbo — obvious
