The Republican and Democratic candidates for the 3rd District Kenton County commissioner's seat both will be decided in the Tuesday primary, with the winners squaring off in November.

        Michael Plummer, 38, of Fort Mitchell is challenging incumbent Adam Koenig, 31, of Villa Hills for the Republican Party nomination.

        Tim Quigley of Crescent Spring will face Michael Baker, 38, of Fort Mitchell for the Democratic nomination.

        The position pays $33,297 per year.

        Mr. Plummer graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 1990 with a degree in public administration. He graduated from Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 1994 and practices law at Plummer and Associates. He is a member of Fort Mitchell City Council.

        Mr. Plummer said he is running for commissioner because he's a fiscal conservative.

        “Our taxes have been raised four times in four years,” Mr. Plummer said. “I'm a social conservative. Our tax dollars are being spent on free contraceptives.

        “People expect police and fire protection, roads to be built and sewers,” Mr. Plummer said. “That's what they expect the county to be involved in. People don't expect their tax dollars to be spent on free contraceptives.”

        He said the commissioner's salary is not important to him and will donate it to charity if elected.

        Mr. Plummer and his wife, Kimberly, have two daughters. He is a member of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Bar Association, and is a past president of the Covington Optimist Club.

        Mr. Koenig received a degree in political science from Miami University in 1983. He recently retired from Procter & Gamble and started his own consulting business. He is finishing his first term as a Kenton County commissioner.

        “I've enjoyed serving the public and improving Kenton County,” he said. “We have more to do and I'd like the opportunity to continue the work we've started.”

        He cited upgrading of the 911 system, installation of the county's first storm warning system and completion of the countywide recreation plan as some of his achievements.

        Mr. Koenig said he would like to stay in office to see the recreation plan and countywide transportation plans implemented.

        “I want to continue to improve public safety wherever possible,” he said.

        Mr. Koenig is a former member of Villa Hills City Council, a past member of the Community Programming Center Advisory Committee, a member of the Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky, and a member of the Kenton County Conservancy and the Northern Kentucky Solid Waste Management Authority.

        He lives in Villa Hills with his wife, Elaynea.

        Mr. Baker graduated in 1998 from NKU with a degree in English and philosophy. He works as the business manager for the law firm Ziegler and Schneider.

        He said he would be fiscally responsible and question the need for tax increases if elected. “We've had four major tax increases in the past four years,” he said.

        “A lot of the skills I use every day there (at work) can be used in county government. One of the biggest things I'd like to change is how decisions are made,” he said. “I really think I'll be there to listen to the community.”

        Mr. Baker is a member of the Northern Kentucky University Alumni Association and St. Joseph Church in Crescent Springs. He is a past treasurer of the Democratic Party and was an assistant coach of the Covington Latin School Debate Team for five years.

        He and his wife, Jennifer, a production specialist, live in Fort Wright.

        Mr. Quigley retired as assistant vice president of P&C Bank to run for office. He plans to return to work after the campaign but not in banking. He has attended Eastern Kentucky University and Thomas More College.

        Mr. Quigley said he's always been interested in politics and managed Irvin “Butch” Callery's campaign for city commissioner in the 1980s.

        “I would like to reunite Northern Kentucky into one county,” he said. “It makes for a more efficient government. It simplifies the law.

        “I think Kentucky's constitution is in dire need of revision,” Mr. Quigley added. “It doesn't fit the 21st century.”

        Mr. Quigley served on the Riverfront Development Steering Committee in 1980.

        He has four sons.

        The 3rd District seat is one of two that are being contested in Tuesday's primary. The 2nd District seat is also contested, with two Democrats vying to face Republican Commissioner Barb Black in November.

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