Two signal interest in state Senate seat

A former Democratic state representative from Bards town and a current Republican state representative from Lebanon have filed papers signaling their intent to run for the state Senate seat held by Republican Sen. Dan Kelly in 2010.

That 14th Senate District seat has emerged as a political hot spot in recent months. Kelly, the Senate GOP floor leader from Springfield, is being widely mentioned as a candidate to fill an open circuit court judgeship, which would create an open spot in the 38-member chamber that Republicans control with 20 seats.

Jodie Haydon, a Democrat who retired from the legislature in 2004, filed paperwork with the Registry of Election Finance on Wednesday that allows him to raise money to run.

"The money part is not the issue. It was my way of letting people know that I am interested in the seat," said Haydon, who said he plans to run regardless of whether his opponent is Kelly or someone else.

On the Republican side, Rep. Jimmy Higdon of Lebanon filed Sept. 14 to raise money for the Senate seat. But Higdon said Thursday he'll bow out and seek a fifth term in the House if Kelly runs for re-election next year.

Higdon said he filed because he's preparing for Gov. Steve Beshear to appoint Kelly to the bench, which probably would trigger a special election.

"You could say I'm putting the cart before the horse by getting out and asking people to vote for me in an election that doesn't exist," Higdon said. But he said he wanted to lay groundwork for a campaign because he expects to have to raise at least $100,000. He said he's raised about $15,000.

After filing with the registry, Higdon and Haydon can amend their paperwork to start raising money for a special election, if one is called.

Still, several steps remain before the 14th Senate District — which includes Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Taylor and Washington counties — goes up for grabs.

Kelly, a lawyer, declined to comment on whether he applied for the open judgeship.

A judicial nominating committee is expected to send names of three candidates to Beshear by the end of the month.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, has said he expects Beshear, a Democrat, to tap Kelly in an attempt to further thin the ranks of the Republican majority in the Senate.

If Beshear chooses Kelly, he may call a special election to fill the Senate seat. The respective party committees in the district then vote to nominate their candidates.

"We've done a little legwork, and I think we have somewhat of a consensus from each county that I would be the likely candidate," Higdon said, adding that he expects Haydon will be the Democratic nominee. "I'd say we're the likely matchup. It'll be a horse race because I have nothing but good things to talk about my opponent."

This story was originally published October 9, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Two signal interest in state Senate seat."