By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BURLINGTON - Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore is a hot property when it comes to Republican gubernatorial candidates looking for a running mate.

Two of the likely GOP candidates - Jefferson County Judge-executive Rebecca Jackson and Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Joe Lambert - have talked to Mr. Moore about running on their ticket as lieutenant governor.

And Mr. Moore - who was easily elected to a second term last week with nearly 70 percent of the vote - confirmed Tuesday that other Republican candidates also have approached him about being their running mate, but that he agreed not to name them.

The popular Republican said he is honored and flattered by the attention, but he does not anticipate getting to the statewide race.

"It's a tremendous honor, but at this point I'm leaning toward staying here," Mr. Moore said. "Right now, I'm in the planning stages of my second term here in Boone County, and I'm very excited about serving another term as judge-executive."

Gov. Paul Patton, who is in his second term, cannot run for re-election under term-limit law.

Mrs. Jackson said Tuesday said she has talked to Mr. Moore as well as two other Republicans - Muhlenberg County Judge-executive Rodney Kirtley and House Republican Leader Jeff Hoover of Jamestown - about running with her in the 2003 GOP gubernatorial primary in May.

"Gary Moore is an exceptional person," Mrs. Jackson said. "He has a very good record in Boone County. We are compatible on the issues and would bring a lot of strength to the ticket. We've spoken about this more than once, and I'll speak to each of them again before a decision is made."

The filing deadline for the May primary is Jan. 29, but with a crowded gubernatorial primary field, candidates are recruiting running mates now to get an early start on the campaign.

As the top elected official in what is the largest Republican County in the state based on voter registration, Mrs. Jackson said, having Mr. Moore on the ticket would be a great help in a hotly contested GOP primary - as would Mr. Hoover, who comes from another strong Republican area in the south central part of the state.

"There's always an appeal for getting someone from a Republican area when you're in a Republican primary," Mrs. Jackson said.

Mr. Kirtley may prove to be more of an advantage in the general election because, while he is a Republican, he has been elected judge-executive three times in a county where Democrats outnumber Republicans 4 to 1.

"Everybody brings different abilities and advantages," Mrs. Jackson said. "You just have to study it, pray about it and hope you make the right decisions."

Chief Justice Lambert could not be reached to comment.

At least one other Republican is considering asking a Northern Kentuckian to be his running mate. State lawmaker Steve Nunn, the son of former Gov. Louie Nunn, has talked to state Rep. Jon Draud of Crestview Hills about joining his ticket. No decision has been made.

Other Republicans expected to seek the nomination are Lexington Rep. Ernie Fletcher; former action-film star Sonny Landham; retired Army Gen. John Coburn; and state Sen. Virgil Moore of Leitchfield.

Some Republican Party officials said Tuesday that Mr. Moore would be a good choice for lieutenant governor.

"Gary Moore has done a good job in Boone County," said Kenton County GOP chairman Greg Shumate. "People all over the state recognize this area as a Republican stronghold and that having a candidate from this area would certainly help them in a primary election among Republicans."

Northern Kentucky is recognized as one of the strongest areas for GOP candidates in Kentucky. In last week's election, for instance, GOP congressional candidate Geoff Davis carried all three Northern Kentucky counties even though he lost the election to the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Ken Lucas, a native of this region.

"Gary Moore has a lot to offer," said Damon Thayer, vice chairman of the Kentucky Republican Party. "He is the popular judge-executive in the largest Republican county in Kentucky.

"And when you're in a close statewide GOP primary, turning out a couple of more percentage points in a conservative, Republican area like Northern Kentucky could make the difference," Mr. Thayer said. "That's what a candidate like Gary Moore brings to the table."

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com