Schickel goes for SD 11 nod with blessing of retiring incumbent

State Senator Dick Roeding (R-Lakeside Park)John Schickel’s bid for the Republican nomination in Kentucky’s open 11th State Senate District began in earnest on January 2, 2008. Then, retiring incumbent State Senator Dick Roeding  announced he was throwing his support behind Schickel. “I’ve always enjoyed public service,” said Schickel. “When Senator Roeding said he was thinking about retiring, he asked me to run for his seat.” The incumbent’s endorsement comes with significant weight behind it. Roeding will have served 19 years in the state Senate at the end of his term, with five of those as Senate president pro tem. The endorsement, however, was not enough to scare off primary competition. Now, Schickel is embroiled in a competitive Republican primary against twelve-year State House veteran and former minority Whip Charlie Walton, of Florence. The race is a challenge for Schickel, but he says he is not disadvantaged when it comes to name identification, given the support of Roeding, and Schickel’s own public service in and around his northern Kentucky district. “I have a reputation for getting things done and bringing people together,” said Schickel of his history. The Union-based Republican served five years with the Eastern Kentucky branch of the U.S. Marshal’s service, before retiring in November, 2007. Schickel’s campaign literature highlights a photograph of the candidate with President George W. Bush, who nominated Schickel for the Marshal’s position in 2002. During his time as a Marshal, Schickel was frequently featured as a spokesman for the Marshal's service after high-profile crimes and arrests in the area. Schickel also served as a police officer and the jailer of Boone County. The candidate noted his experience should help him distinguish himself from his opponent. He said his experience as a jailer taught him a “cost effective” approach to government work. As a retiree, Shickel also argued he offered a was the only candidate who could serve as a “full-time legislator.” Walton, Schickel claimed, worked as a school principal during his previous time in Frankfort. “I respect [Walton], but I don’t think that someone should be in the legislature while working full time as a principal, and getting paid for both jobs,” said Schickel. Schickel says he has so far run an “aggressive campaign,” with an all volunteer staff, that has found him knocking on doors throughout the district. He says his campaign will continue to focus on this face-to-face interaction with voters. Financially, expectations for the campaign are low. Schickel would not disclosure particulars, but said forthcoming finance reports would be light. “We are raising what we can,” said Schickel. “My opponent will probably have more money reported than me.” The backing of Roeding means Shickel has the support of the man who beat Walton when he last sought the 11th District seat. In 2004, Roeding defeated then-State Representative Walton in a GOP primary 57 to 42 percent. In addition to Roeding's help, Schickel has received the endorsement of the Home Builders Assocation of Northern Kentucky and Fraternal Order of Police lodges in Boone and Kenton counties. As the May 20th primary quickly approaches, Shickel says his campaign will implement a “30-day strategy.” He would not reveal the specifics of this plan, however.