ERLANGER - Espionage has become an issue in the Congressional race between Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas and Republican challenger Geoff Davis. But the candidates aren't debating anything as important or deep as how the United States should use covert intelligence gathering operations. Instead, their campaigns are accusing the other of spying.

        In a press release issued Monday morning, Mr. Davis claims he ousted a “Ken Lucas spy” from a campaign fund-raiser Friday night in Florence. According to the release, several Davis campaign staffers and supporters recognized Mike Weber, a volunteer coordinator for the Lucas campaign, in the audience.

        Mr. Davis claims confronting Mr. Weber, who reportedly said, “Uh, yes,” when asked if he worked for the Lucas campaign.

        “Obviously, Ken Lucas never worked in special operations in the military,” Mr. Davis says in the release, noting he was a U.S. Army Ranger and an assault helicopter flight commander in the 82nd Airborne Division.

        “If you're going to infiltrate the enemy camp, you better have a plan to get in and get out undetected.

        “This is a new low for the Lucas campaign, although it should come as no surprise,” Mr. Davis said.

        The Davis camp followed up with an invoice it sent to the Lucas campaign for $500 - the amount it cost campaign donors to attend Friday's fund-raiser.

        Ben Davis, Mr. Lucas' campaign manager, denied that Mr. Weber attended the event. Ben Davis said Mr. Weber was not available for an interview.

        “Mike (Weber) was at a fund-raiser we had Friday night,” Ben Davis said. “I know nothing about him being at that (Davis campaign) event.”

        Ben Davis then claimed that members of Geoff Davis' campaign team used the Internet to bogusly sign up to work on the Lucas campaign so it could receive e-mails the staff sends to volunteers.

        “I don't know anything about that,” said Marc Wilson, Geoff Davis' campaign manager. “But people have sent us e-mails they've received from the Lucas campaign.”

        It's not uncommon for campaigns to have moles close to the camps of their opponents. And fund-raisers are prime targets to find out what the other side is up to, who is giving money, and what the opponent is saying and promising to contributors.

        Ben Davis said he thought the Geoff Davis press release was a joke. Mr. Wilson said it definitely was not.

        “Of course they are going to deny it happened because it's dirty politics,” Mr. Wilson said. E-mail pcrowleyenquirer.com

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