FORT WRIGHT — How confident is Geoff Davis that he will win Tuesday's GOP 4th Congressional District primary over Roger Thoney?

        Confident enough to schedule a Friday campaign fund-raiser in Oldham County featuring an appearance by House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas.

        Mr. Davis, 42, a Boone County resident making his first run for public office, is clearly focused on the November election and running against two-term Democratic incumbent Ken Lucas, who is also from Boone County.

        “I've entered this race because of the vacuum of leadership I have seen in this district,” Mr. Davis told a gathering of Republicans last week.

        Mr. Thoney, 48, of Highland Heights, ran in the 2000 GOP congressional primary, finishing third in a three-way race with 19 percent of the vote. He came in behind winner Don Bell, who had 57 percent, and Scott Tooley, 24 percent.

        Mr. Davis has raised far more money that Mr. Thoney, boasts a better organization and has the backing of most major Republican Party leaders and activists in Northern Kentucky.

        According to federal campaign finance reports filed by candidates in late April, Mr. Davis had $222,836 cash on hand compared to just $129 for Mr. Thoney.

        But Mr. Thoney, who works as an “economic troubleshooter” and business consultant, said he has the key to winning November's election - The Freedom Plan.

        Mr. Thoney's plan calls for eliminating most taxes on business, cutting government regulations and reforming Social Security, government operations and the legal system.

        That will lower the costs of doing business, making more money available for wages and business investment, which will improve the overall economy.

        “I have found the opening we need to defeat Ken Lucas,” Mr. Thoney told the same GOP gathering. “Democrats will support a Republican who they perceive as being for the people. Right now the people need a lower cost of living, a lower cost of doing business, lower health care costs and more jobs that pay a living wage.”

        Mr. Davis is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he studied national security issues. He was an Army Ranger, flew assault helicopters and served in peacekeeping missions in the Middle East during the 1980s. He now operates a manufacturing consulting firm out of his Hebron home.

        Because of the nation's war against terrorism, Mr. Davis said his military service will be an asset to the people of the 4th District, a sprawling 21-county area that includes all of Northern Kentucky.

        Mr. Davis also said he opposed gun control and abortion, would push for lower taxes and the elimination of the so-called marriage penalty tax, supports the creation of private investment accounts for people paying into Social Security, and would try to bring more high-paying jobs to the 4th District.

        “The No. 1 thing I am concerned with is economic security,” Mr. Davis said.

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