Tuesday, June 15, 1999
Former GOP leader Eric Deters to run for Kenton attorney in 2002
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL — Nicholson lawyer Eric Deters, the bombastic former Republican Party leader who has shunned politics in recent years, plans to run for Kenton County attorney in 2002.
Mr. Deters, 35, said he won't start actively campaigning or raising money until next year, which will still be two full years before the election.
“I just wanted people to know I am running for the office, and I wanted to get my name out there,” Mr. Deters said Monday during an interview in his Fort Mitchell law office.
“I like my chances,” he said. “I'm conservative, I'm pro-life, I'm active in the community, I've been active in politics and I think I'm a good lawyer.”
Incumbent county attorney Garry Edmondson, a Fort Wright Democrat, did not return a phone call to comment. He was elected to a second term last November with no opposition.
Mr. Edmondson has said that he would serve two terms in office.
Mr. Deters had planned to run against Mr. Edmondson in the 1998 election. But shortly before the January filing deadline Mr. Deters wife, Lisa, was diagnosed with cancer. She died in December, leaving her husband and children ages 10, 9 and 7.
“If I never run for this office, I will regret it,” Mr. Deters said Monday. “If there is one thing I am very keen on right now in my life is that there is no guarantee of tomorrow.
“So I need to do this.”
“I feel like the last go around it would have been better for the community if they had a choice is this race,” he said. “The issues would have been discussed. If you don't have an opponent, the issues aren't brought out.”
Paula Miller of Fort Mitchell, a member of the Kenton County Republican Party and a veteran campaign worker, organizer and fund-raiser, will run Mr. Deters' campaign.
Kenton County Clerk Bill Aylor, a Democrat, was asked Monday if Mr. Deters would be a formidable opponent for Mr. Edmondson or any other Democrat running for county attorney.
“That name in this county, sure he would be,” Mr. Aylor said. “But he's starting way too early. Getting out this early for a race in 2002, especially when there are elections next year, just confuses matters.”
Former Kenton County GOP Chairman Kevin Murphy, whom Mr. Edmondson defeated in 1993 to win his first term in office, said Mr. Deters will make an excellent candidate.
“He's energetic and honest, and he's a very smart lawyer, which is something we haven't had for quite some time in that office,” Mr. Murphy said.
Mr. Deters is the son of Charlie Deters, a well-known and politically connected Northern Kentucky lawyer, businessman and horse breeder who has been active in Democratic politics for years.
But Eric Deters broke ranks with his father's politics and was a rising star in the Republican Party until some high-profile battles with some of the party's top elected officials.
At 24 Mr. Deters was chairman of the Kenton Coun ty Republican Party, a post he held from 1988 to 1991. He also served as chairman of the Fourth District Republican Party and worked in the campaigns of state Sen. Dick Roeding, former Kenton County Judge-executive Clyde Middleton, President George Bush and Larry Forgy's 1991 unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.
However, Mr. Deters practiced politics and ran campaigns with a take-no-prisoners attitude. He often clashed with not just his opponents but also leading Republicans like U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning of Southgate and Mr. Middleton.
After falling out with the GOP he worked for Democrat Bob Rademacher in the 1993 Kenton County Judge-executive primary.
Some Republicans could find it hard to forgive Mr. Deters for jumping ship to the Democrats for that race.
“I didn't know Eric was a Republican again,” said Edgewood attorney John Middleton, Mr. Middleton's son and a member of the Kenton County Republican Executive Committee.
“We want the best candidate to run for (county attorney), but that race is a long way off and time will tell who the best candidate is,” John Middleton said.
Kenton County GOP Chairman Greg Shumate said Mr. Deters “has some fences to mend.”
“But he's a very energetic person, he gets things done and he would be a good candidate,” Mr. Shumate said.
Hospitals give critical care to Y2K plans
Luken: Council has him 'pumped'
No replacement yet for Luken at Channel 5
Too many deer parked here
Boy's eye for detail helps nab suspects
Father gets prison time
Help comes to disabled people
Highway no toll on Butler drivers
Teacher owes to Rosa Parks
Worm dirties work week
Dial 'N' for Naked Cowboy
Oldenberg loses fizz, files for reorganization
President plans July 23 stop here
Research backs benefits of soy
Youth shot in Columbia Twp.; suspects sought
100 years, 10 stars
Controversy surrounds man's arrest
County wins in Supreme Court
Guilty plea in creek slaying
Stores sop up damage
Donation will buy 4 cameras
Lakota to dissect school day
Lt. governor talks school safety
Newport cool to idea of 911 study
Seniors in public housing complain
2 men indicted for in audio thefts
Center project stymies council
Despite calls, twisters didn't hit Boone Co.
Former GOP leader Eric Deters to run for Kenton attorney in 2002
Gannett unveils ethics rules
Kentucky teen struck by lightning
Lebanon looks at zone changes
Limo owner convicted of evidence tampering
Mediation ordered in Justin case
State recommends 12th St. plan
Symmes Township administrator resigns
Vote soon on Fort Wash. Way cost hikes
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
