BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
News, notes and events from the Northern Kentucky campaign trail.
Louisville businessman Charlie Owen stopped by Saturday's Guidugli family picnic in Cold Spring, a traditional summer stop for candidates.
Mr. Owen has been mentioned as a possible lieutenant governor candidate next year with Gov. Paul Patton; as a challenger for the U.S. House seat in Louisville in 2000; and as a contender in the 2002 Senate race against incumbent Republican Mitch McConnell of Louisville. But Saturday night, Mr. Owen wasn't saying.
"I've paid my bills and I'm paying my debts," said Mr. Owen, a millionaire who spent about $6 million of his own money in May's U.S. Senate Democratic primary, which he lost to U.S. Rep. Scotty Baesler.
"We're not sure what we're going to do next. I'm working on a book about my experiences in politics. I'm campaigning for Scotty Baesler, and I'm going to be coming back to Northern Kentucky a lot more times in the next several months. It's a great, upbeat area and an area I really love," he said.
Mr. Owen has been making the rounds of political events, sounding an awful lot like a candidate.
And he's kept a couple of paid members on his campaign staff.
Bowman plans fund-raiser.
Covington Mayor Denny Bowman, the Democrat candidate for Kenton County judge-executive, is holding one of the first fund-raisers of his campaign Saturday night.
The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Plantation Club at Twin Oaks Golf Course, 43rd and Michigan avenues in Covington. The cost is $30 a person.
Mr. Bowman is running against state Rep. Dick Murgatroyd, a Villa Hills Republican.
Kenton County commissioner candidate Adam Koenig, a Republican from Villa Hills, will formally open his campaign with an Aug. 25 fund-raiser.
It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Four Seasons Country Club is Crestview Hills and is open to the public.
Mr. Koenig is running against Democrat incumbent Steve Arlinghaus of Fort Mitchell.
Sheriff candidates raise money.
The candidates for Kenton County sheriff -- Gary Lay and Chuck Korzenborn -- are both planning campaign fund-raisers.
Mr. Lay, an Erlanger Democrat, is holding a benefit dance Aug. 29 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Blessed Sacrament Undercroft. For more information contact the Kenton County Democratic Executive Committee voice mailbox: 230-5907.
Sen. Dick Roeding, R-Lakeside Park, and his wife, Nancy, will host a fund-raiser and reception Aug. 26 for Mr. Korzenborn. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Roeding's home, 2534 Kearney Court, Lakeside Park.
Parking and a shuttle bus will be available from Lakeside Christian Church, 195 Buttermilk Pike. For more information call 341-2017.
Democrats hold annual gathering.
The Kenton County Democratic Party will hold its annual Jamboree Oct. 5 at Devou Park. For more information contact the party at 230-5907.
