Sunday, May 07, 2000
Kentucky politics
Democrats have star in wings
This we know. Republican leaders from all over the state consider Northern Kentucky a political petri dish, a breeding ground for potential GOP statewide candidates.
It seems like every local Republican who holds office — from state Rep. Jon Draud to Kenton County Commissioner Adam Koenig — either has his sights set on higher office or is being encouraged to think about running in the near future.
But how about the Democrats, the party that is the political equivalent of a Greek tragedy — once powerful, knocked from their kingdom by the upstart Republicans and now trying to seek vengeance with a new focus?
Do they have a rising star who could someday mount a credible run for one of the offices in Frankfort?
Cut back to a day, just about any day, during the Kentucky General Assembly in Frankfort.
There is Mark Guilfoyle — lawyer, lobbyist, political operator and strategist — hanging out in the third floor office of House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, his ear covered by a cell phone, his eyes on a closed circuit TV of the House proceedings, his mind on any of a dozen or bills he is either trying to pass or hoping to kill.
He is guy who knows Frankfort the way U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning knows Washington, a connected insider who knows what gets people elected and what opens them for defeat.
When he wasn't working lawmakers during this session on behalf of the 10 or so clients of his fledgling lobbying business — locally he represents the likes of Fidelity Investments, Argosy Casinos, Kentucky Speedway and others — Mr. Guilfoyle was giving advice to members of Gov. Paul Patton's administration.
“I wasn't the go-to guy on every issue,” Mr. Guilfoyle explained over his phone after a recent round of 18 holes at Lassing Pointe. “They would bounce things off me about the budget, about strategy. The governor's staff felt comfortable consulting with me.”
Blessed with a political mind that has no peer in Northern Kentucky Mr. Guilfoyle, at age 40, is already a long-time Frankfort and political vet.
In the administration of former Gov. Brereton Jones, who left office in 1995, Mr. Guilfoyle held the titles of legal counsel, budget director and chief-of-staff — all at the same time.
He oversaw and orchestrated the upset election of U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas in 1998's 4th District congressional race. And he claws at local Republicans every chance he gets.
Well, now Frankfort Dems are looking at Mr. Guilfoyle as a potential candidate for statewide office, possibly attorney general, auditor or even lieutenant governor.
Other than enjoying the attention Mr. Guilfoyle says he has no immediate plans to run. With four children ages 5 to 12 and another one due in November, he is adamant that “family comes first.”
“But sooner or later, I'll run for something.”
Winning won't be easy. It never is. This is still GOP territory and Mr. Guilfoyle has many of the attributes - ego, temper, passion, a thirst for political blood — that can reward as well as doom a candidate.
Republicans say they would love to get a crack at Mr. Guilfoyle to turn his “scorched earth” campaign tactics on him.
Be careful what you wish for.
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for The Kentucky Enquirer. He can be reached at 578-5581, or by e-mail at crowleys@cinci.infi.net.
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