Sunday, April 23, 2000
Long-term view
Area GOP leaders could go far
Now that what seemed like the longest legislative session in Kentucky history is finally over, let us turn our attention to local politics. Don't forget, just five short weeks until the May primary. ...
The regular county elections won't be held for two more years, but all three Northern Kentucky judge-executives are out raising campaign cash anyway.
Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore held a fund-
raiser late last week. Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery and Kenton County's Dick Murgatroyd have events planned in the next couple of weeks.
While it's smart politics to get a jump on fund raising, all three of Northern Kentucky's top elected county officials — each a Republican — have their eyes on higher office.
Mr. Moore has been mentioned as a possible lieutenant governor candidate in the 2003 state elections.
Mr. Murgatroyd and Mr. Pendery are also considered by party leaders as attractive candidates for statewide office. And both have considered a run someday for Congress.
“We have an incredible pool of talent among the Republican judge-executives in Northern Kentucky,” said state GOP Vice Chairman Damon Thayer of Scott County, a former Grant County resident who has also been mentioned as a potential candidate on a future Republican statewide ticket.
“All three have the potential to go on to higher office, and each probably will,” he said.
Sooner or later a Republican gubernatorial candidate is going to emerge in Northern Kentucky, the largest GOP bastion in the state. And at the very least, a downstate GOP candidate for governor will tap a Republican from Boone, Kenton or Campbell to take advantage of the party's large and growing base in this part of Kentucky.
The names of all three judge-executives have been tossed around as potential opponents for U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, the Richwood Democrat who hasn't drawn a top-tier GOP competitor this year.
Presuming Mr. Lucas wins a second term in the fall, he will make only one more run for Congress. When he ran in 1998, Mr. Lucas limited himself to three terms.
It is clear that with Mr. Lucas' voting record in Congress — he has voted with the GOP on several issues — many of the big-name Republicans stayed away from challenging him this year.
But some GOP insiders think an up-and-coming candidate should not wait until the seat opens; the smart strategy would be to mount a challenge to Mr. Lucas in 2002, even if it means losing the first time out.
That way a GOP candidate could build name recognition with voters and establish a political organization for the next race, when the GOP primary field could be a lot more crowded.
Most interesting to watch will be Mr. Pendery, a most attractive candidate to many Republican Party activists and contributors.
Mr. Pendery has not said he wants to run for Congress, and he could be a good candidate for statewide office. But should he wish to run for the 4th District seat, he could clash with state Sen. Katie Stine, who has privately told supporters she would like to run for the House someday.
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for The Kentucky Enquirer. His column appears Wednesdays and Sundays. He can be reached at 578-5581, or (502) 875-7526 in Frankfort, or by e-mail at crowleys@cinci.infi.net.
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