Officials from both parties remember Mike Haydon; Governor sets memorial service at Capitol

A memorial service will be held for Mike Haydon, the governor’s chief of staff, on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.

Gov. Steve Beshear announced the service Monday after talking with Haydon’s family. Haydon died Sunday after suffering a heart attack.

State officials from both parties mourned the loss of Haydon on Monday. In interviews, Republicans and Democrats paid tribute to the former mayor, legislative aide and gatekeeper for the governor.

Before joining Beshear’s administration in 2008, Haydon served as the top aide to state House Democratic Floor Leader Rocky Adkins of Sandy Hook.

Adkins on Monday described Haydon’s loyalty and trustworthiness. And he said Haydon’s candidness was one of the greatest assets he brought to public service. In one case, it saved a major problem with the state budget:

Republican state Sen. Damon Thayer of Georgetown worked closely with Haydon during the 2012 General Assembly as Thayer carried the constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling — a major initiative the governor supported.

Thayer and Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson spoke at a ceremonial groundbreaking for the widening of U.S. 25 between Lexington and Georgetown. Abramson stepped in for Beshear, who stayed at the Capitol to be with his staff.

Abramson later explained how important Haydon was to the administration.

Abramson said the governor and his staff would be talking in the coming days about how to fill all of Haydon’s roles in the administration.

“It’s going to be a tough one to fill with one person. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of his responsibilities were divided up. But we’ll have to see,” he said.