Wednesday, May 12, 1999
Lucas has 1st GOP opponent
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LaGRANGE, Ky. — Don Bell, a former Secret Service agent who has run two statewide campaigns and was involved in last year's 4th District congressional race, said Tuesday he will challenge U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas in 2000.
Mr. Bell, 49, is the first and only Republican who has stepped forward to run against Mr. Lucas — a first-term Democrat from Richwood in Boone County — for a seat that until last year was held by the GOP for three decades.
While he has had some informal discussions about the
race with Kelly White, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's Northern Kentucky field representative, Mr. Bell said he was not recruited into the race by Republican Party leaders.
“I haven't talked to anybody yet (in party leadership), but I do intend to,” Mr. Bell said by phone Tuesday morning from his home in Oldham County, near Louisville on the far western end of the 22-county 4th Congressional District.
“This is something I've always had a deep desire to do,” he said. “I'm a Republican and a conservative who knows the issues and knows his way around Washington. I'm looking forward to running this race and hopefully serving in Congress.”
Mr. Bell said he knows he is a good six months behind, but he is just now starting to put together a campaign organization and fund-raising plan. He estimates it will take from $500,000 to $1 million to unseat Mr. Lucas.
Mr. Bell said he plans to make a formal campaign announcement later in the year.
Walton attorney Mark Guilfoyle, Mr. Lucas' top political strategist, had no reaction to Mr. Bell entering the race.
Fourth District Republican Chairman Jay Hall of Florence said he has not spoken with Mr. Bell about the race, but described Mr. Bell's candidacy as exciting.
“Don Bell has an incredible background,” Mr. Hall said. “He is a very intelligent fellow and will definitely bring some interesting aspects to the race.”
However, Mr. Hall did say he anticipates a GOP primary for the seat. The filing deadline is in late January; the primary will be in May.
“There are a couple of people that are still thinking (the race) over,” Mr. Hall said.
Mr. Bell worked in the Secret Service under Presidents Nixon and Carter and Vice President George Bush.
He ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 1991 and state auditor in 1995. He operates a private investigative agency in Oldham County.
“I know Don, and I like Don,” said Kentucky GOP Vice Chairman Damon Thayer of Grant County. “He has a very qualified background ... and with his political experience, he can be a fireball on the campaign trail.”
Mr. Bell worked several months last year as campaign manager for Fort Thomas attorney Jim Kidney, who finished third in the 1998 4th District Republican primary behind Rick Robinson and winner Gex “Jay” Williams. Mr. Williams was then defeated by Mr. Lucas in the fall.
Mr. Bell said Tuesday he is putting his campaign platform together. And he said he realizes it will be difficult for a candidate from outside Northern Kentucky — where about half of the district's voters live — to win the seat.
“But it's not a major problem,” he said. “People want the best candidate regardless of where they live in the district.”
Mr. Bell also said he has a Northern Kentucky connection through his wife, the former Stephanie Weber. Her family is from Campbell County.
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