BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- Mayor Denny Bowman has failed to win the endorsement of the city's police union in the race for Kenton County judge-executive.
Covington Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1 has endorsed Republican Dick Murgatroyd, a two-term state representative from Villa Hills. Sgt. Michael "Spike" Jones, FOP president, said the endorsement was not based on any problems the police union had with Mr. Bowman, a Democrat who has been Covington's mayor for 11 years.
"Richard, in the past, has always been very willing to work with the FOP," Sgt. Jones said. "We feel that as judge-executive, he will keep an open-door policy, not only with our officers, but with all officers in the county."
Neither Mr. Bowman nor Mr. Murgatroyd could be reached for comment Thursday.
Sgt. Jones said Mr. Murgatroyd has had a record of seeking the FOP's input on legislation affecting police, instead of waiting for police to come to him.
He said Mr. Murgatroyd also supported the FOP's fund-raising efforts "long before he ran for anything."
As an example, Sgt. Jones said Mr. Murgatroyd helped raise money to start Covington's bike patrol. He said Mr. Murgatroyd also donated space for use by bike patrol members in a central Covington travel agency that he ran.
