BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ERLANGER -- Two years ago, about a dozen Republicans in Kentucky hired State Sen. Gex "Jay" Williams as their political consultant.
They cited his computer knowledge, his experience and success at grass-roots campaigning and his ability to motivate voters. But now some party leaders are wondering when Mr. Williams, a Boone County Republican, is going to jump start his own Congressional race.
Mr. Williams has stayed largely on the sidelines for months as his Democrat opponent, former Boone County Judge-executive Ken Lucas, has released statements and positions on issues, put six radio ads on the air and peppered Mr. Williams with questions and criticism.
Meanwhile, the Williams campaign is yet to put forward any formal statement or policy and has yet to do any significant advertising. "Gex has not really kicked things into gear yet," said Kenton County Republican Party Chairman Greg Shumate of Villa Hills. "But he is a late starter, in horse racing terms."
Mr. Williams will not say when he will begin advertising and talking about issues, though he did say it would be very soon.
"We're doing it and getting ready now," Mr. Williams said. "We're starting, but we start slow and build.
"I'm on my plan. I wasn't going to peak in August like (Mr. Lucas) did," he said.
Mr. Williams is beginning to show some signs of improving his fund-raising, another area in which he has lagged behind Mr. Lucas. On Tuesday U.S. Rep. Steve Largent, R-Okla., is hosting a fund-raiser for Mr. Williams in Washington. And on Wednesday, former Senate Republican leader and 1996 presidential candidate Bob Dole will be the featured guest at an Edgewood fund-raiser for Mr. Williams. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, Missouri Sen. John Ashcroft and Mr. Largent are all scheduled to come into Northern Kentucky later this month to help raise money.
Boone County Republican Party Chairman Jay Hall said he has been concerned that Mr. Williams has not been advertising or talking about issues as much as Mr. Lucas.
"But as chairman of the Boone County Republican Party I understand why he is waiting to release his ads and his stands on the issues," Mr. Hall said.
"People are just now starting to focus on the issues and who the candidates are; so as Gex begins coming out with issues, people will be paying attention," he said.
Mr. Hall said Mr. Williams also wants to be prudent with his campaign money. "Gex is a conservative who wants to make sure every campaign dollar goes into an effective campaign and educating voters on the issues," he said.
Mr. Lucas has also relentlessly attacked Mr. Williams on a variety of fronts, include allegations of making campaign-related phone calls from his Statehouse office and illegally benefitting from a land deal.
Both charges are being investigated by the Kentucky Ethics Commission.
John Lapp, Mr. Lucas' campaign manager, admitted that part of the Democratic strategy was to keep Mr. Williams busy answering questions and off his message.
