COVINGTON — Two of the state's leading Democrats — Gov. Paul Patton and Attorney General Ben Chandler — will be here tonight to attend political functions.

        Mr. Patton is the special guest at a Kentucky Democratic Party Fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mike Fink Restaurant on the city's riverfront.

        Organizers won't say how much they hope to raise but previous state party fund-raisers in Northern Kentucky attended by Mr. Patton have brought in as much as $300,000 for the Democrats.

        All Democrats and Patton supporters are invited to attend, said House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder.

        “There's no minimum contribution to attend. Everyone is welcome, as long as they contribute something,” Mr. Callahan said.

        But some top contributors are expected to attend and give up to $2,500 to the Kentucky Democratic Party.

        Co-hosting the fund-raiser are:

        • Kentucky Speedway developer Jerry Carroll.

        • Fort Thomas businessman Wayne Carlisle.

        • Larry Brossart of Spartan Construction.

        • Jim Hale of Hale Contracting.

        Two of the largest fund-raisers the party has ever held were in Northern Kentucky and attended by Mr. Patton.

        Shortly after being elected to his first term in 1995 Mr. Patton was the guest at a fund-raiser held at Turfway Park - then owned by Mr. Carroll — that brought in more than $200,000.

        In 1999 Mr. Patton helped the Democrats raise nearly $300,000 at The Syndicate in Newport, a restaurant developed by Mr. Carlisle.

        “This is something the governor does every year in Northern Kentucky,” Mr. Callahan said. “We've had some very successful fund-raisers in the past and this year is looking good as well.”

        Mr. Patton's wife, Judi Patton, is also expected to attend.

        The money raised at the event will be used by Democrats to help in statehouse and federal campaigns.

        Also Monday, Mr. Chandler will attend the campaign kick-off announcement for Covington City Commission candidate Jerry Stricker. The event is planned from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Mr. Stricker's condo in the Riverside Terrace complex, which is also on the riverfront near Mike Fink's.

        Mr. Stricker was appointed to a vacant city commission seat last year but choose not to run in the November election. He is the first challenger to unveil his campaign for one of the four commission seats now held by Jerry Bamberger, J.T. Spence, Craig Bohman and Alex Edmondson.

        Covington teacher Diane Brumback has also said she plans to run but has not yet announced her campaign.

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