BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FLORENCE -- Fourth District congressional candidates Ken Lucas and Gex Williams are touting endorsements each picked up Tuesday.
Mr. Lucas' campaign was promoting the formation of a group called "Republicans for Lucas." A Democrat, Mr. Lucas considers the backing of more than 150 Northern Kentucky Republicans key because he is trying to appeal to conservative voters and keep Reagan Democrats from fleeing the party this fall.
And Mr. Williams, a Republican state senator, was endorsed by the National Taxpayers Union Campaign Fund. The Williams camp was buoyed by the support because the endorsement showcases his record as a fiscal conservative.
The Lucas group is spearheaded by three Northern Kentucky Republicans: Erlanger attorney Kevin Murphy, the former chairman of the Kenton County Republican Party.
Mary Fisher of Edgewood, the former head of the state Republican Party.
Covington Police Officer Bill Schilling.
"I am proud to form this organization," Officer Schilling said. "Mr. Lucas is a pro-law enforcement, pro-gun, pro-life conservative. He is the kind of leader we need so desperately in Congress."
A list of Republicans supporting Mr. Lucas that was supplied by the Lucas campaign includes a number of business and community leaders, including Realtor Bert Huff, chairwoman of the Kenton County Airport Board; builder Paul Hemmer Jr.; Northern Kentucky University Regent Alice Sparks; Edgewood physician Dr. Stephen Hiltz; and home builder Ray Beil.
Craig Hendricks, Mr. Williams' campaign manager, pointed out that the organizers of the group have battled politically with Mr. Williams in the past.
Ms. Fisher and Mr. Murphy have clashed with Mr. Williams and supporters in his staunchly conservative wing of the Republican Party. And Officer Schilling worked for Fort Mitchell attorney Rick Robinson in the May GOP congressional primary won by Mr. Williams. "It's not a surprise that Kevin Murphy and Mary Fisher have once again estranged themselves from the party and allowed themselves to be used in this manner," Mr. Hendricks said.
Ms. Fisher said she is supporting Mr. Lucas to "stop the demagogic threat of Gex Williams."
"I believe in a smaller . . . government that demands of all to act responsibly on our own beliefs and make our own moral decisions, rather than intrusively dictate those beliefs and choices upon us," she said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Williams was talking about his endorsement by the taxpayers group, which puts its nationwide members at 300,000. "My record in the Kentucky Senate includes cutting taxes by more than $350 million," Mr. William said Tuesday. "I will be a voice in Congress committed to lowering taxes and holding the line on big government spending."
John Lapp, Mr. Lucas' campaign manager, described the tax group as a "Republican front organizer."
He also pointed out that as Boone County judge-executive, Mr. Lucas cut property taxes three years in a row.
But in an interview Tuesday, organization president John Berthoud said the taxpayers group is endorsing Democrats as well as Republicans in Congressional races this fall.
"We're proud to make an endorsement in this race," Mr. Berthoud said. "Gex Williams has never equivocated when it came to reducing taxes, and he'll do the same when he is elected to Congress."
