Tuesday, July 18, 2000
Lucas may hit million mark
By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer
EDGEWOOD — U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas of Boone County is edging toward raising $1 million for his re-election campaign this fall.
Meanwhile Mr. Lucas' opponent, Oldham County Republican Don Bell, has not yet cracked the $25,000 mark and finds himself trailing far behind the incumbent when it comes to raising campaign funds.
“The power of incumbency is overwhelming,” Mr. Bell said Monday from his home in Buckner, a small town on the western fringe of the 4th Congressional District.
“I'm not surprised at how much money (Mr. Lucas) has raised,” he said. “I've always said we can't compete with him as far as raising money. He's got the ability to raise big bucks at this point.”
Mr. Lucas, a first-term Democrat from Richwood, has raised $698,797 this year and had $484,284 cash-on-hand as of June 30, ac cording to a finance report his campaign filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in Washington.
During the most recent quarterly reporting period, which ran from April 1 to June 30, Mr. Lucas raised $240,933.
With at least four fund-raisers planned during Congress' August recess — including high-profile events at the Governor's Mansion in Frankfort and in Northern Kentucky — Mr. Lucas should surpass $1 million by the November election.
“We're gratified by the support Ken has received from all over Kentucky,” said Travis Sowders, Mr. Lucas' campaign manager. “And we're going to continue to be aggressive and raise the money we need to communicate Ken Lucas' independent message.”
During his 1998 election to Congress, Mr. Lucas raised and spent nearly $1.1 million to beat Republican Gex “Jay” Williams of Boone County.
Mr. Bell's report shows he has raised just $24,240 this year, including $11,535 in the second quarter of this
year. But $9,500 of the funds are money Mr. Bell lent his campaign, a practice that is legal under federal election laws.
As of the end of June, Mr. Bell had $5,805 cash.
“What happens as we get closer to Election Day, more money will come in,” he said. “We're working on a (September) Northern Kentucky fund-raiser. ... And when interest in the race picks up after Labor Day, so will the campaign contributions.”
Northern Kentucky is the population center of the 4th District — about half the district's residents live here. GOP candidates usually are successful at raising funds here.
But Mr. Bell's latest campaign report shows just two contributions — a total of $700 — from Northern Kentucky residents. Both are members of the Kunkel family of Boone County, longtime activists in local GOP politics.
Mr. Lucas has received contributions from dozens of Northern Kentucky residents, including some who often give to Republicans in other political races.
Among Mr. Lucas' donors are homebuilder Ralph Drees, $1,000; developer Paul Hemmer Jr., $500; lawyer Jim Poston, $1,000; real estate firm owner Jim Huff, $1,000; Covington City Commissioner Jerry Stricker, $1,000; Ronald Plattner, owner of Dennert Distributing, $1,000; and Ruth Doering, owner of Seligman Distributing, $500.
Mr. Bell reported raising no money from Political Action Committees or PACs.
But Mr. Lucas has received $134,530 from PACs this year, including $79,180 between April and July.
Among the corporate PACs that contributed to Mr. Lucas were those operated by Cinergy Corp., Procter & Gamble and chipmaker Intel. Other PACs contributing to Mr. Lucas represent the following industries: gaming, electrical workers, carpenters, hospitality, telecommunications, doctors, hospitals, utility companies, machinists, homebuilders, insurers and retailers.
Auditor: Budget woes ahead
$2.5M gift to NKU will support string program
World full of human billboards
Artist scatters her leaves worldwide
Readers' queries answered
Census Bureau countin' the days
Council may return to address funding report
County's biggest child support case begins
Former agency director gets jail term in theft
Harmon repays funds, fees
Videos banned as obscene
Bank robbery suspect in court
E-mail, but no tree-mail
Home sweep home
Norwood warms up for parade
They're mad as ...
Three men die in Ind. wreck; 2 hurt
Trial for suspect, 52, awaits appellate ruling
Tribute to a woman called 'Moses'
TWA will use new, smaller jets here
Women lack venture funds
Bush raises more money than Gore in Kentucky
Improving kids' reading
Innocent plea in slaying
Jazzy Stings falls short of Police
Judge puts Butler County union contract on hold, will rule on request to cancel it
Lawyer: Pair didn't sell pot
Lawyer says marijuana not sold
Lucas may hit million mark
Morehead looks for recruits
Ohio's gun laws being challenged by four workers
Peck's Addition cleanup near end
Pig Parade: Divine Swine
School offices on move
School signups may give more time
GET TO IT
Tristate digest
Who should be cast away?
