Saturday, May 08, 1999

'Ex-mayor' Bowman will still be player

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BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        COVINGTON — Denny Bowman can't seek another term as mayor of Covington, but he will still be a major player in next year's election and could end up staying on the city commission.

        Mr. Bowman, 50, prevented by state law from seeking a third term as mayor of Northern Kentucky's largest city, said Friday he will support Kenton County Deputy Sheriff and former Covington police sergeant Ray Murphy in the 2000 mayor's race.

        Mr. Bowman also said he may run for a seat on the city commission.

        “Part of me just wants to get away from the politics for awhile,” Mr. Bowman said. “But part of me wants to stay with it. I love Covington and I want to stay involved with the city.”

        Others involved in Covington politics expect Mr. Bowman, one of the city's most popular politicians, to run for the commission. And some say his backing of Mr. Murphy will provide the upstart's campaign a big boost.

        “I'm not surprised,” said Craig Bohman, who has run unsuccessfully for city commission in the past two elections and who plans to run again in 2000.

        “We all expected Denny to run for the commission.”

        Mr. Bowman's support for Mr. Murphy — who has never held elected office — will provide some early campaign momentum but won't carry the election, Mr. Bohman said.

        “What it will do is get Ray some early attention,” Mr. Bohman said. “There are a lot of people in Covington who like Denny and who always vote for him. But Ray is still going to have to go out and campaign hard for votes.”

        Mr. Murphy served 22 years with the Covington police. He ran last year in the Kenton County Sheriff's GOP primary, losing to Chuck Korzenborn. After winning election in the fall, Mr. Korzenborn hired Mr. Murphy as a deputy sheriff.

        He is excited to have Mr. Bowman's support.

        “It means a lot to me, and it means a lot to my campaign,” Mr. Murphy, 48, said Friday. “Denny is one of the best-known politicians in the city of Covington. Having him behind me will bolster my chances tremendously.”

        So far only one other candidate, City Commissioner Butch Callery, has said he will run for mayor. City commissioners Jim Eggemeier and Jerry Bamberger and former mayor Bernie Moorman are also considering running.

        Mr. Callery, who has served on the commission for 20 years, has long clashed with Mr. Bowman. He was unimpressed with Mr. Bowman's pledge of support for Mr. Murphy.

        “I figured Denny would look for somebody to support,” Mr. Callery said. “But I think once we get into the race the voters will look at my experience, my record especially in working with the neighborhoods and my accomplishments and make their decisions based on that.

        “And really, people don't know Ray Murphy like they know me,” Mr. Callery said.

        Mr. Bowman said he is backing Mr. Murphy because they are friends and because of Mr. Murphy's long service to the city as a police officer.

        “There are so many things this commission has just totally ignored me on,” Mr. Bowman said. “It's hard to support somebody on the commission who is running for mayor when they haven't supported you over the years.”

        Mr. Callery also said he has “no doubt” Mr. Bowman will run for city commission.

        “He's been saying he wants to get out of public life, but he'll try to stay on the commission,” Mr. Callery said.

        Richard Smith, who like Mr. Bohman didn't win a city commission seat last year but who plans to run again in 2000, said he believes Mr. Bowman would easily win a commission seat if he ran.

        “People like him in Covington,” Mr. Smith said. “There's no way he would loose.”

       

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