LAGRANGE, Ky. - U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, the only Kentucky Democrat in Congress, said Saturday that he intends to abide by his term-limit pledge if re-elected this November in his northern Kentucky district.

        Lucas pledged to serve only three terms while making his first successful run in the 4th District in 1998, when talk of limiting congressional careers was a more potent national issue.

Lucas

        The congressman, now in his second term, said he hasn't wavered from that promise.

        “My plan now is to run for three terms,” Lucas told the Associated Press during an interview while campaigning at a festival in this Oldham County town.

        Lucas's Republican opponent said the self-imposed term limit promise makes Lucas a “lame duck,” limiting his effectiveness if he were to win in November.

        “It's going to be difficult for him to even accomplish what little he did in his previous two terms. That's a fact of life,” said Republican Geoff Davis, who is making his first bid for elected office.

        Lucas said he's campaigning hard and that his term-limit pledge shouldn't hurt his bid for another term.

        “I would have four years' seniority on my opponent,” he said.

        Lucas said voters are concerned about issues that affect their lives, such as prescription drug costs, a possible tobacco buyout and corporate responsibility.

        Lucas said he hasn't discussed the matter with prominent Democrats statewide or in his district. Lucas said that his status as the lone Democrat in Kentucky's eight-member congressional delegation has not prompted him to reconsider.

        Lucas, 68, said he did not know what he would do after leaving Congress.

        Lucas, known for his support of tobacco farmers and gun rights and opposition to abortion, is regarded as one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress.

        His election broke a 32 year Republican hold on the district, which straddles the Ohio River from the West Virginia border west to Oldham County and also takes in portions of north-central Kentucky.

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