Tuesday, January 26, 1999
Time running out for Ky. GOP
Must pick gubernatorial hopeful today
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
As today's deadline loomed to file for the 1999 race state GOP leaders, activists and boosters scrambled Monday to craft a credible ticket to take on Gov. Paul Patton and Lt. Gov. Steve Henry.
Mr. Patton ended speculation that he would dump Mr. Henry as a running mate Monday afternoon when the pair filed election papers with the Secretary of State's office. They are the first governor and lieutenant governor allowed to seek a consecutive term in 195 years.
Meanwhile, two Republicans who had considered running against Mr. Patton — state Rep. Brian Crall and Pikeville attorney Will T. Scott — both backed away from the race Monday.
That put the GOP focus on Pikeville Republican Chris Ratliff, 34, a one-term state representative who hails from the same hometown as Mr. Patton.
The Republicans have made big gains in Kentucky politics in the last decade, picking up seats in the state legislature and holding seven of the eight slots in the state's Washington delegation.
But the party has been unable to attract well-known candidates to take on Mr. Patton and Mr. Henry.
“We have done a good job, and the people of Kentucky recognize it,” Mr. Patton said after he filed in Frankfort.
GOP party leaders such as 4th District Republican Party Chairman Damon Thayer called Mr. Ratliff's law office Monday, trying to convince him to run. He did not return a phone call Monday to comment on his political plans.
There is no word on who Mr. Ratliff would choose as a running mate if he gets in the race.
A woman who answered the phone at Mr. Ratliff's office said he had been receiving calls all day about entering the governor's race.
“Chris Ratliff would be a good candidate,” Mr. Thayer said. “He's a Republican serving in a statehouse seat where 80 percent of the registered voters are Democrats ... and his views represent the views of the party and of the people of Kentucky.”
Late last week word leaked out that several Kentucky Democrats, including a number of state lawmakers, were trying to convince Mr. Patton to dump Mr. Henry and put Louisville businessman Charlie Owen on the ticket.
Mr. Owen ran in the 1998 Democratic U.S. Senate primary won by former Lexington congressman Scotty Baesler. Mr. Owen's supporters felt getting on Mr. Patton's ticket would enhance his profile and help him better prepare to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2002.
A Republican did file for governor on Monday, but he was not recruited by the party's leaders.
David L. Williams, 60, of Columbia is running with his wife, Joanna Williams, as his running mate.
Mr. Williams ran as a Democrat in the 1998 primary for U.S. Senate, finishing fifth out of a six-man field. Mr. Williams said he and his wife changed their party registrations last year.
Mr. Williams is disabled and speaks with the aid of a mechanical device because of throat cancer. He is not related to state Sen. David L. Wil liams of Burkesville, the minority floor leader in the Senate.
Mr. Williams said he would actively campaign and is especially concerned about workers' compensation issues. He said he was also prompted to run by the lack of any other Republican prospects.
Peppy Martin, a Bonnieville advertising and public relations manager, is expected to file her candidacy papers for governor today.
Gatewood Galbraith, a perennial candidate for statewide office, plans to run as an independent for governor this fall.
Mr. Patton is the first governor in nearly two centuries eligible for re-election. The state's first constitution allowed it and James Garrard served two terms from 1796 to 1804.
Later constitutions barred governors from seeking re-election. Voters changed the constitution in 1992 to allow succession, and Mr. Patton is the first governor eligible to run again.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Is there room for strangers in our homes?
St. Louis swells for Pope's arrival
The pope's schedule
I-75 gas spill should be cleared by morning rush
Riverfront commission ready top go
Cincinnati Riverfront Advisory Commission
West plan falls short of wishes
West plan's details
Western residents, county split on development plan
Conductor Shaw called a giant of choral music
Man charged with setting home on fire
N.Ky. loses educators convention
Tax foes to battle increase for schools
Mourners make trend of wake
Actress comfy with role in 'Couch'
Colognes, perfumes can take your breath away - really
Etiquette for the over-perfumed
Ft. Washington Way closed next two nights
Hand transplanted in Louisville
2 plead guilty in slaying
Aquarium signs get attention
Beating death examined
Butler already owns favored site for jail
Covington divided over street widening
Custody war brings sea of legal paper
Developers are building 2-acre park in Blue Ash
Dogs, cats give elderly a boost
Eastgate area park-and-ride premieres
Fort Wright settles claim
Inclusion of disabled lauded
Lebanon activist's traffic-death trial to start today
Middletown sprucing up parks
Music museum picks up pace
Prison guard waives drug case hearing
Safety work will close Ohio 73
Time running out for Ky. GOP
TRISTATE DIGEST Asthma attack kills Lebanon prisoner
Trustees expected to approve contract with UC professors
