Saturday, January 30, 1999
Patton planning strong campaign
Governor points to past political upsets
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL — Gov. Paul Patton intends to run a strong campaign even though the Republican Party is mounting what looks to be little more than a token challenge in this year's gubernatorial race.
“I certainly wouldn't take any election for granted where I have a viable opponent,” Mr. Patton said Friday after a speech at the Drawbridge Estates to members of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Patton said he uses some political upsets as reminders that he still needs to work hard to be re-elected, including the 1984 U.S. Senate race in which Mitch McConnell beat incumbent Sen. Walter “Dee” Huddleston, and the 1994 Congressional race won by Ron Lewis over Joe Prather.
“Mitch McConnell didn't have a chance to beat Dee Huddleston, and Ron Lewis didn't have a chance to beat Joe Prather. And (Minnesota governor and former professional wrestler) Jesse Ventura didn't have a chance to beat anybody. ...
“I'm going to learn from all three of them,” he said.
After months of promising a tough challenge to Mr. Patton — the first governor in almost 200 years eligible to seek a consecutive term — Republican Party leaders were unable to recruit a well-known candidate for the race.
The only Republicans to file are virtually unknown across the state:
• Peppy Martin, a Hart County public relations writer who served in Gov. Louie Nunn's Republican administra tion 25 years ago but who has never been elected to office.
• David L. Williams, 60, of Columbia. He ran as a Democrat in the 1998 primary for U.S. Senate, finishing fifth out of a six-man field.
Mr. Patton said Friday he expects Ms. Martin to win the GOP primary.
He refused to comment on a published report that Ms. Martin called Mr. Patton “a disgrace,” “an s.o.b.,” and a “jerk.”
“I'm just not going to respond,” Mr. Patton said with a big smile.
Mr. Patton said Friday he will begin his full-fledged campaign sometime after the May GOP primary but possibly not until the Fancy Farm political picnic in early August.
Asked for his view on why a stronger GOP candidate did not get in the race, Mr. Patton said it's because people are satisfied with his performance.
“I do believe that the vast majority of the people of Kentucky approve of what we are doing,” he said. “But that doesn't mean that they are going to accept us taking it for granted.
“Obviously, we ought to be a strong favorite, but that's the reason they run the race. Favorites don't always win.”
There's no happy ending for MU story
Magnet school signup shows opposites attract
Man dies in custody after third arrest
Judge turns down delay of execution
Dog biscuits taken off bistro menu
Police dog included in estate's lawsuit
Valedictorian dream dashed
Bauer expected to announce presidential bid
City choosing a chief its own way
Who will be chief?
Councilman wants to restrict laser pointers
Franklin's confession frees man
North Bend survival subject of whispers
Police: Student's death probably accidental
Trash can mom seeking lower bond
Year's worth of weather
Break-in at furniture store costly for deer
Domestic violence, sex assault information available by phone
Mill Creek plan called key to create asset, stop decline
Public hearing set on possible lawsuit against gun makers
Teacher charged with hitting student
Another mall idea: Buy, raze
Embattled chief mulls departure
Fairfield man guilty of corrupting teen girls
How to help Colombian earthquake victims
Mental state issue in Roselawn stabbings case
Patton planning strong campaign
Students come to aid of others after fire
Suspect resists return from Texas
TRISTATE DIGEST
