18th District candidates

L to R: Democrats Chester “Chuck” Highley, Robin Webb and Republican Scott Sharp

 

The incumbent and two challengers are vying for the state Senate seat in the 18th district.

Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, is facing Democrat Chester “Chuck” Highley of Rush in the primary. The winner will run against Republican Scott Sharp of Ashland in the general election.

Webb, a lawyer, has served in the Senate since 2009 after 10 years in the state House of Representatives. She said her 2018 campaign is focused on improving the education system, finding solutions to the opioid epidemic and ensuring state services are well maintained.

 The senator said she’s optimistic about the future, despite coming off what she deemed was a frantic 2018 legislative session that included pension reform, tax reform and the passage of a budget in the final legislative days.

“There was confusion, even for us who understand and have been in the process, so I know the public was confused based on the contact I had with my constituents,” said Webb. “I don’t like government to be that way.

“To me, there weren’t a whole lot of positives. The positive was that we got a budget passed.”

Webb said she feels she’s served the 18th district well for the past nine years, in large part by taking a bipartisan approach on key issues.

“I’m not really a partisan person,” said Webb. “No party runs me, I vote my people’s interest.”

Webb’s Democratic opponent, Highley, said he feels Webb hasn’t done enough for the residents of northeastern Kentucky.

Highley said he grew up in Catlettsburg and has spent much of his life in the region, except for two tours in Vietnam where he was part of a special forces unit.

Highley, who is now retired, said he studied engineering at Eastern Kentucky University before doing engineering work professionally.

He said he also worked with the local iron workers union in building and trades.

“This Tri-State area was built by union workers,” said Highley, who said he’s in favor of repealing Kentucky’s one-year-old right to work law and reinstating prevailing wage.

Highley, whose only previous political experience was an unsuccessful run for judge-executive in Carter County, said he’s focused on backing unions, and improving the region and state’s economy and education systems.

He said Kentucky also needs to rethink its incarceration system. Overcrowding in jails and prisons is hurting communities, including in northeastern Kentucky, he said. He suggested more funding, and, if possible, the construction of a new jail just for drug trafficking offenders.

“The jails are full. If I have to, I will go to [U.S. Congressman] Thomas Massie and see if we cannot get a jail built to incarcerate drug dealers,” he said.

The Republican candidate for Senate, Sharp, has experience in criminal justice, and is also a veteran.

Sharp is a retired U.S. Army sergeant. He said the state is “poised to take off economically,” and he chose to run because residents of the 18th district “deserve a voice in Frankfort that is actually a part of that conversation.”

“Having served our great nation for more than 22 years and protecting her from the worst kinds of threats while in the U.S. Army, I believe my voice as a veteran can contribute greatly to that conversation,” he said.

Sharp joined the Army in 1982 and retired in 2004 as a sergeant First Class and a senior special agent with the Army Criminal Investigation Command. Following his time in the military, he taught criminal justice and terrorism related topics at Eastern Kentucky University and Ohio University’s Southern Campus.

Sharp is a graduate of Wayland Baptist University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and Webster University, where he earned a double Master’s degree in management and organizational, and business security management. He also earned a master’s degree in organizational psychology and training development at St. Joseph’s University.

Sharp has been involved in local politics since his unsuccessful bid for Boyd County sheriff in 2014. He said the region’s representation in Frankfort is “just not getting the job done.”

“Between the challenges facing our state economically to addressing the opioid epidemic, we’re not getting the commitment and results we deserve,” said Sharp.

Voters will decide whether Webb or Highley will face Sharp this fall.

The primary election is May 22.

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