BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ERLANGER -- Fourth District Republican congressional candidate Gex "Jay" Williams has never been shy about mixing politics and religion, so it shouldn't be a surprise that "Moses" has cut a campaign commercial for him.
Actor and National Rifle Association President Charlton Heston, who played Moses in the epic film The 10 Commandments, appears on a radio ad for Mr. Williams that begins airing Monday throughout the 4th District.
The ad is the first of the campaign for Mr. Williams. It appears to be a defense against allegations that Mr. Williams has had ethical problems in his political career.
Two weeks ago Mr. Heston, a longtime Republican activist, came to Northern Kentucky as the featured guest at a campaign fund-raiser for U.S. Senate candidate Jim Bunning of Southgate.
Mr. Heston taped the 30-second ad last week in Washington, said Craig Hendricks, Mr. Williams' campaign manager.
In the spot, Mr. Heston touts Mr. Williams' "values," "honesty" and "integrity."
"Gex Williams is a family man who shares our values," Mr. Heston says in the commercial. "He is a community leader who is fed up with politicians we can't trust. Just like you and me. And Gex Williams is running for Congress because he understands that character does matter."
"We are thrilled that Charlton Heston has chosen to campaign for Gex Williams," Mr. Hendricks said. "Charlton Heston isn't just a conservative thought leader and one of the greatest epic actors of all time, he is truly a great American. His endorsement . . . really makes a statement."
Mr. Heston is the latest in a growing list of nationally known Republicans and conservatives who have come in to Northern Kentucky to help Mr. Williams campaign and raise money.
The list includes House Speaker Newt Gingrich, conservative commentator and author William Bennett, presidential hopeful Steve Forbes, former Sen. Bob Dole, Sen. John Ashcroft and U.S. House members Dick Armey, John Ashcroft and Steve Largent.
Mr. Williams, a three-term state lawmaker from Verona in Boone County, is running against Democrat Ken Lucas. Mr. Lucas is the former judge-executive of Boone County and lives in Richwood. John Lapp, Mr. Lucas' campaign manager, said Mr. Williams continues to rely on outsiders "to try and tell Kentuckians how to vote."
"Here is a guy who can't stand on his own two feet," Mr. Lapp said.
Mr. Williams also has problems with his "integrity and character" because he is being investigated for a land deal and for allegedly violating state election laws by making political phone calls from his statehouse office, Mr. Lapp said.
"The Lucas campaign is taking a shot at Charlton Heston?" Mr. Hendricks said. "That's interesting. Everyone knows and respects Charlton Heston, but who is John Lapp?"
