Covering politics in Northern Kentucky is like watching a marathon — everybody is running.

        Guidugli for judge? Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli is taking a look at challenging Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery, a first-term Republican from Fort Thomas, in next year's county election.

        Mr. Guidugli, a Democrat reelected last year without opposition, is telling supporters and fellow Dems that he will run on Newport's successful riverfront development, which includes the $40 million Newport Aquarium and the $200 million Newport on the Levee shopping and entertainment complex set to open this fall.

        He will also talk about new housing and other developments in the city.

        And Mr. Guidugli will take on Mr. Pendery, the only Republican on what is otherwise an all-Democrat fiscal court, for not doing more to bring development to the county.

        Mr. Pendery acknowledged at Tuesday's State of Northern Kentucky address that Campbell County has lagged behind in Greater Cincinnati when it comes to attracting development and jobs. But he also said the county is taking steps to improve by, among other things, hiring a professional planner.

        Mr. Pendery even gave Mr. Guidugli a veiled plug Tuesday when he called Newport's development success “phenomenal.”

        The Guidugli name is, of course, huge in Campbell County.

        Tom Guidugli's cousins include Dan Guidugli, a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge from Alexandria; Dave Guidugli, a leader in the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and a former Cold Spring city councilman; and Steve Guidugli, a Bellevue city councilman.

        Mr. Pendery, however, will not be easy to beat. Republicans say he has grown into the job, gets along well with Democrats and has some progressive ideas.

        And even though Mr. Guidugli comes from a strong Democratic base in Newport, Campbell County, like the rest of Northern Kentucky, is slowly turning into GOP country.

        One leading Democrat in the county said Mr. Guidugli should stay where he is, at least for now.

        Contesting with Koenig. A three-way Republican primary could be brewing for the Kenton County Fiscal Court seat held by Commissioner Adam Koenig, a Villa Hills Republican in his first term.

        Steve Arlinghaus was a Democrat and fiscal court incumbent when Mr. Koenig beat him in 1998, 18,042 votes to 16,933. Now Mr. Arlinghaus, who also served on the Fort Mitchell city council before his one term on the fiscal court, is a Republican living Villa Hills and pondering a run against Mr. Koenig.

        Erlanger Mayor Marc Otto, a Republican, is rumored also to be interested in the race. Reached at his job as a salesman for Harlan Graphics in Cincinnati, Mr. Otto said he is considering running and will make a decision in about a month.

        Link not missing from campaign trail. Speaking of re-election bids, Edgewood Mayor John Link has confirmed he'll seek another term.

        So far, no opposition has emerged.

        Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics. He can be reached at 578-5581, or by e-mail at pcrowley9@home.com.

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