BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FLORENCE -- Former President George Bush will visit Kentucky on Sept. 1 to raise money for U.S. Rep. Jim Bunning's bid for the Senate, Bunning campaign chairman Mike Duncan said Saturday.
The Bunning campaign also has commitments for fund-raising appearances from House Speaker Newt Gingrich and actor and conservative activist Charlton Heston, recently elected president of the National Rifle Association.
Mr. Duncan made the announcement about Mr. Bush's visit Saturday morning during the State Republican Party Executive Committee meeting at the Florence Holiday Inn.
The event will be in Lexington, but details -- including the time, location and how much it will cost contributors -- must still be worked out.
"As far as Newt and Charlton Heston, we've been told they'll come in for us, but we don't have it in writing yet," Mr. Duncan said. Mr. Heston's appearance will probably be in late September, when the state Republican Party hopes to also have him host a party fund-raiser in Lexington.
The executive committee meeting started off a busy day of politicking and fund-raising for Republicans.
Several of the party's candidates, including Mr. Bunning and 4th District congressional candidate Gex "Jay" Williams of Verona, attended a Republican Party picnic at Markland Dam along the Ohio River on Saturday afternoon.
Mr. Bunning, a Southgate Republican, is running against U.S. Rep. Scotty Baesler, a Lexington Democrat, in the Senate race. Mr. Williams is running against Boone County Judge-executive Ken Lucas, a Richwood Democrat, in the campaign for Mr. Bunning's House seat.
Saturday night, Mr. Bunning held a fund-raiser at the home of Fort Thomas businessman Jack Steinman. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Louisville, was the event's special guest.
