NEWPORT — Campbell County Attorney Justin Verst plans to quietly kick off his re-election campaign next week with a low-ticket fund-raiser thrown by members of his large extended family.

        Mr. Verst, 52, is a Cold Spring Democrat elected to office in 1998 after 20 years as an assistant county attorney. His fund-raiser is set for 7-10 p.m. Monday at Southgate Community Center.

        Tickets are $35 a person, with the money going to Mr. Verst's campaign fund for the November 2002 election.

        “I guess you can call this event the kickoff of my re-election campaign,” Mr. Verst said Monday. “Unfortunately, all the county races cost an arm and leg to run. You need to start early and get your finances in order.”

        Mr. Verst spent about $50,000 defeating Fort Thomas Republican Bob Blau in the 1998 election.

        But Mr. Verst isn't sure how much money he will need next year to defend himself because, for now, no one has stepped forward to challenge him.

        Mr. Verst is not expected to draw a primary challenge from within the Democratic Party. And while the Republicans say they will have a candidate, one has not been been selected.

        “I'm sure we'll have someone,” said Campbell County Republican Party Chairman Barb Haas of Fort Thomas. “But it's still too early. People are just getting over the (November 2000) election.”

        Mr. Verst said he thinks it is best to begin raising money early. But he kept the contribution relatively low for next week's fund-raiser so it would be affordable and attractive to a large base of his supporters.

        It's not unusual for candidates running for county office to ask for contributions of $100 or more at their fund-raisers.

        “I'm more interested in drawing a lot of people,” Mr. Verst said.

        As county attorney, Mr. Verst has responsibility primarily for:

        • Prosecuting misdemeanor crimes in Campbell District Court, including traffic offenses. Mr. Verst defined misdemeanors as any crime punishable by a year or less in jail.

        • Serving as legal counsel to Campbell County Fiscal Court.

        Mr. Verst said he plans to continue to “crack down on vice crimes” that include prostitution, illegal gambling and the distribution of pornography.

        Last year the Dairy Mart store in Alexandria avoided a trial on charges of distributing obscene material by agreeing to refrain from selling a number of adult magazines.

        Mr. Verst, who initiated the investigation of the Dairy Mart, said the magazines in question contained “hard-core pornography” that included depictions of sexual conduct.

        He also pointed out that even though the fiscal court is split politically - Judge-executive Steve Pendery is a Republican and the three county commissioners are Democrats — officials have not let political differences get in the way of county business.

        “This court does what's in the best interest of the citizens of the county and stays away from partisan bickering,” Mr. Verst said.

        Mr. Verst's fund-raiser is being sponsored by many of his 15 brothers and sisters and their spouses. Information: Call (859) 491-5843.

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