FRANKFORT — Democratic candidate Robin Webb of Grayson wants the Aug. 25 special election in the 18th Senate District to be about experience, especially on state budget matters.

Her Republican opponent, Greenup County dermatologist Dr. Jack Ditty, 60, wants the debate to be about health care. Both say it’ll be about jobs and the economy.

But Webb, 48, who presently serves in the House, suspects it might get personal. If it does, Ditty said, it’ll come from somewhere else – he wants a positive campaign about issues.

Webb expected questions about her past even before the two were nominated to run for the seat vacated by the resignation of Republican Charlie Borders who accepted Gov. Steve Beshear’s appointment to the Public Service Commission.

So Webb is speaking out – though not for the first time – about a time when she was the victim of domestic abuse and faced major medical costs and a temporary suspension of her law license.

“I was told this would happen when I decided to run,” said Webb. She said she’s never tried to keep the abuse or the problems it caused secret.

“I have spoken at the bar association on this subject. I’ve told this to my clients to show them they’re not the only ones who have gone through this,” Webb said. “I’m living proof there is hope when this kind of thing happens.”

According to Kentucky Bar Association and court documents, Webb’s license was suspended from mid-1994 to mid-1996 for non-payment of dues. She was also privately admonished for insufficient communication with a client and for failing to meet a filing deadline in an appeals case.

Webb said she suspended her individual law practice on the advice of her physician after being abused and after the premature birth of her first child. Both Webb and her baby required home health care for several months. Webb was treated for a heart infection and her child received intensive neo-natal care. She stopped paying her bar dues during that time.

After a subsequent abuse episode, Webb sought protective shelter and counseling and was treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. She separated from her abuser – who is now deceased. She sought bankruptcy protection.

Later, Webb said, she applied to have her license restored. The KBA tribunal said Webb’s problems in communicating with her client and the late filing “were believed to be seriously affected by the overwhelming mitigating factors.” The tribunal voted 13-0 to restore her license and she was not disciplined.

Webb said she forgave her abuser and moved on.

“Forgiveness allowed me to heal,” Webb said. “God blessed me with a second chance for a reason. That’s why I’m in this race.”

Ditty said he has no intention of raising the matter in the campaign.

“I’m really not interested in dealing with any personal aspects from anybody’s past,” Ditty said.

Ditty said health care is a key national and state issue and there are no doctors in the Senate which has 10 current members who list their occupations as attorney.

“We can send another attorney to Frankfort or we can send a doctor,” he said. “I’ve spent my life in health care and this is an opportunity for us to have a doctor in the Senate.”

Webb said the race should be about her experience in the House, especially her service on the budget committee because the state faces continuing fiscal challenges with declining tax revenues in a failing economy.

The race will also be about legislation Beshear is pushing to allow electronic slots at horse tracks. The measure passed the House – Webb voted for it – but died in the Senate budget committee. Ditty opposes the measure. Supporters and opponents of expanded gambling are expected to contribute to the candidates or to independent groups running ads about the race.

The special election could also affect control of the Senate where Republicans now have a 20-16-1 advantage after Borders’ resignation. If Webb wins, Beshear might offer jobs to other Republican senators to create additional opportunities for Democrats to pick up seats.

That assures the two parties, Beshear and Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, will take active roles in the race. The parties can run “issue ads” independently of the candidates’ campaigns. Some of them might get personal.

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