Friday, October 01, 1999
Mayor's race clash among titans
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Next year's election for mayor of Covington is about to get a whole lot more interesting even before it really starts.
Not that this wasn't going to be one of the better local races in 2000 anyway.
Butch Callery, a 20-year veteran of the city commission, has said he is going to run.
Two well-known, experienced and deeply entrenched city commissioners — Jim Eggemeier and Jerry Bamberger — are also considering going for the seat Mayor Denny Bowman has held for two terms. State law won't allow him to seek another term, but in a great political twist, Mr. Bowman is probably going to run for city commissioner.
Then there's the wild card, former Covington police Sgt. and current Kenton County Deputy Sheriff Ray Murphy. He is running with the backing of Mr. Bowman.
Care for another twist?
Bernie Moorman, who has served as both mayor and city commissioner, also announced his intention to run.
Contacted at his Covington bed and breakfast Wednesday, Mr. Moorman would say little about his candidacy. “You'll have to wait for my formal announcement for all the details,” he said.
Mr. Moorman had also been considering running for state Senate against Erlanger Republican Jack Westwood.
“The mayor's race is the race for me,” said Mr. Moorman, also a former Kenton County commissioner. “I know Covington, and I know I can win.”
LUCAS' LOOT: U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, a Richwood Democrat in his first term in Congress, often votes like a Republican.
He raises money like one, too.
A recent Federal Election Commission fund-raising tally for House members has Mr. Lucas in the top 50 in contri butions from both individuals and Political Action Committees, or PACs, during the first six months of this year.
Mr. Lucas placed 46th in contributions from individuals with $353,611. Other Kentuckians in this nifty 50 are Rep. Anne Northup, a Louisville Republican in 20th place with $481,572, and Lexington Republican Rep. Ernie Fletcher, who came in 14th with $567,349.
The top fund-raiser was Rep. Jim Rogan, a California Republican with $1.5 million.
Mr. Lucas moved up the list when it comes to PACs, placing 22nd with $195,420 raised. That beats Ms. Northup, who came in 47th with $145,339. Mr. Fletcher, however, finished 10th with $227,505.
In the No. 1 PACs spot was New York Republican Rep. Rick Lazio, who collected $457,254.
Republicans outnumbered Democrats in both counts. Of the top 50 in the individual contributions list, there are 28 Republicans and 22 Democrats, while the top 10 breaks out to seven Rs and three Ds.
In the PAC list, there are 27 Republicans and 23 Dems, with eight Republicans and two Democrats in the top 10.
SENATE MONEY: State Senate Republicans will get a chance to see how their new-found General Assembly majority translates to raising money during a local fund-
raiser planned by the Kentucky GOP.
The event is set for Nov. 19 at the Airport Holiday Inn. For $500, contributors can attend an 11 a.m. reception with GOP senators and then have lunch at noon. Tickets to the lunch are $100.
Money raised at the event will benefit the Senate Majority Trust, which will help GOP Senate candidates in the 2000 election. Republicans will try to hold on to the chamber they took over this year when two Democrats — Dan Seum of Louisville and Bob Leeper of Paducah — switched parties and joined the GOP.
State Republican Party Vice Chairman Damon Thayer of Grant County has put together a committee of about 30 local Republicans helping raise money for the event.
“We want Northern Ken tucky to play a major role in maintaining and maybe even increasing our numbers on the Senate,” Mr. Thayer said.
Two weeks ago Gov. Paul Patton came to Northern Kentucky and helped raise $300,000 for the Kentucky Democratic Party and his own re-election campaign.
It will be interesting to see whether the Republicans turn out for a big party event as the Democrats did.
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for The Kentucky Enquirer. His column appears Thursdays and Sundays. He can be reached at 578-5581, or (502) 875-7526 in Frankfort, or by e-mail at crowleys@cinci.infi.net .
