BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLD SPRING -- Pasta and politics were in abundance Saturday evening for what has become a summer staple on the Campbell County campaign trail -- the Fifth Annual Guidugli picnic.
About 400 people ate a traditional Italian dinner of pasta with a full menu of politicians, from Gov. Paul Patton to U.S. Senate hopeful Scotty Baesler. Bellevue mayor candidate Steve Guidugli was one of the hosts.
"If you're a candidate, you don't want to miss it, not only because there are so many people here but because it's a heck of a good time," said county Commissioner Roland Vories, a Newport Democrat.
Mr. Patton and his wife, Judi, stayed about 90 minutes and then took a helicopter to Frankfort for a Saturday night event at Democratic Party Headquarters. Mr. Patton has been to all five picnics, dating back to his days as lieutenant governor.
"The Guiduglis are a great family, and this is an event you don't want to miss, which is why I never do," said Mr. Patton, who is planning to run for re-election next year.
The picnic is held at the Darlas Drive home of Dave Guidugli, a Cold Spring councilman and Northern Kentucky labor leader. Also hosting were Tom Guidugli, mayor of Newport, and Dave's twin brother, Dan, a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge who lives in Alexandria.
"We originally started the picnic as sort of a family event, and a way to say thanks to all the people who have helped us in our campaigns," Dave Guidugli said.
"But when the governor came up to the first picnic, that kind of started it as a political event as well."
Mr. Baesler, a Lexington Democrat and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, is running in the U.S. Senate race against U.S. Rep. Jim Bunning, a Republican from Southgate.
He was working the crowd and handing out his traditional campaign packs of sunflower seeds.
"It's a great event," said Mr. Baesler.
Though the picnic traditionally attracts Democrats, Campbell County Republican Party Chairwoman Sam Smith and her husband, Rick, were in the crowd.
"We're not spying," Mrs. Smith laughed. She is a member of the Cold Spring Planning and Zoning Commissioner and knows Dave Guidugli.
"He's a good friend and the Guiduglis are a great family."
