FORT MITCHELL — In a display of political muscle and fund-raising prowess, Republican challenger Geoff Davis raised more money than Democratic U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas during the second half of 2001.

        Mr. Davis, a Boone County business consultant making his first run for political office, raised $181,000 compared to $169,000 raised by Mr. Lucas, also a Boone County resident. Mr. Lucas is in his second term representing Northern Kentucky's 4th Congressional District.

Lucas

        The information is included in Federal Election Commission campaign finance reports that both campaigns released Thursday.

        Mr. Lucas still had more than double the amount of cash on hand as of Dec. 31, about $400,000 compared to $174,000 for Mr. Davis.

        But Republicans were thrilled to have outraised the incumbent during the last six months of 2001.

        “It speaks to the message of Geoff Davis,” said Marc Wilson, a Florence political GOP strategist handling Mr. Davis' campaign. “The constituents of the 4th District believe his leadership will better serve them as their congressman.

        “When you raise a dollar you raise a vote, and people are going to invest in Geoff Davis for the long term,” Mr. Wilson said.

        Christina Gilgor, Mr. Lucas' Northern Kentucky fund-raiser, said the amount Mr. Lucas reported raising from individual contributors in the second half of 2001 was double the amount he raised during the first six months of the year.

        “We've said all along we're taking Geoff Davis seriously,” Ms. Gilgor said. “But we're also on track to meet our fund-raising goals.”

        Some in the Lucas camp, while acknowledging the success by Mr. Davis raising money, pointed to a more impressive fund-raising figure in Kentucky's 3rd District congressional race in Louisville.

        In that race, Democratic challenger Jack Conway has raised $500,000 in his race against Republican U.S. Rep. Ann Northup.

        Carl Forti, spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee in Washington, said the national GOP is impressed with Mr. Davis' efforts.

        “His performance has put him in the top tier of challengers in the country,” Mr. Forti said. “The fund-raising clearly shows that Geoff Davis has been working hard and has a broad base of support.”

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