FORT MITCHELL — Living up to a campaign promise, Kenton County Commissioner candidate Michael Plummer has taken no money from campaign contributors.

        A campaign finance report Mr. Plummer filed at the Kenton County Courthouse indicates all the money he spent since getting in the race in early November — $12,361 — came from his own pocket.

        “I'll spend enough to get my message out,” said Mr. Plummer, an attorney and a member of Fort Mitchell City Council who has also pledged to give the county commissioner's $33,297 salary to charity if elected.

        “I'm going to win this election,” he said Friday.

        Mr. Plummer, who has said he is prepared to put $20,000 or more of his own money in the race, is challenging incumbent Adam Koenig of Villa Hills in the May Republican primary.

        It is rare for candidates for county office to refuse to raise money and to pay for a campaign out of their own pocket.

        Mr. Koenig said Friday he has raised $15,000, more than he spent and raised when he won the primary and general election four years ago.

        “In 1998 I was outspent in the primary and outspent in the general election, and I intend to be outspent again,” Mr. Koenig said. “I work hard ... and (Mr. Plummer) will have to do more than trying to buy the election.”

        Mr. Plummer said Mr. Koenig is saying that because he is having difficulty raising money for his campaign.

        “There isn't enough money out there for him to get his message across,” Mr. Plummer said.

        Among the items Mr. Plummer has purchased for his campaign:

        • $1,950 for Christmas cards sent to supporters.

        • $5,400 for TANK bus advertising.

        • $621 for pens to hand out to voters.

        • $149 to purchase voter information and data from the Kentucky Board of Elections in Frankfort.

        • $300 for stuffed animals he gave away at a Christmas parade in Ludlow.

        On his campaign finance report Mr. Plummer does list one in-kind contribution, $200 for combs purchased by his barber, Al Bonar of Covington. The combs have Mr. Plummer's name on them.

        Mr. Koenig questioned whether the contribution breaks Mr. Plummer's pledge of not taking campaign contributions.

        “Absolutely not,” Mr. Plummer said.

        “Al wants to support me. He bought the combs on his own. I just have to report them since he's giving them out.”

        So far no Democrats have decided to run for Mr. Koenig's seat, though leaders in the Kenton County Democratic Party have tried to recruit a candidate for the general election.

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