Republican gubernatorial candidate Ernie Fletcher has a 7-point lead over Democrat Ben Chandler,according to a poll released last week by the Republican Governors' Association. According to the poll of 500 likely voters conducted June 18 and 19, Fletcher, a three-term congressman from Lexington, has a lead of 46 percent to 39 percent over Chandler, who is completing his second term as Kentucky attorney general.

But the poll carries a margin of error of 4.38 percentage points, meaning the race could be interpreted as a statistical tie.

The GOP is touting results of some of the questions asked on the poll, including:

• 63 percent of respondents said Kentucky has "gotten off on the wrong track."

• Only 27 percent said the state is heading in the right direction.

• 76 percent agreed with the statement "Kentucky is falling behind other states and needs a change of leadership."

The numbers play into the GOP's platform that change is needed in Frankfort, where Democrats have held the governor's mansion since 1971.

"The people of Kentucky are looking for a real change in Frankfort, someone who can restore pride, optimism and leadership. That's Ernie Fletcher," said Republican Governors' Association Director Ed Tobin.

Campbell County Democrats are hosting a party unity meeting July 9 at 6 p.m. at The West Side Cafe, 11th and Brighton streets at the foot of the Licking Valley Girl Scout Bridge in Newport.

Attorney general candidate Greg Stumbo, a Democrat from Floyd County, is expected to attend. Organizing the event are the Campbell County Democratic Men's and Women's clubs and the Campbell County Democratic Executive Committee.

"Greg will get our Democratic blood boiling while the Women's Club stirs the kettle with some of our good cooking for an exciting unified event," according to an e-mail announcing the event.

Admission is $3, which will be used to cover the cost of dinner. A cash bar will be available. Reservations can be made by contacting Charity Turner at (859) 581-8071.

Fourth Congressional District Republican Chairman Marcus Carey is hosting a Sunday night radio talk show on WBOB AM 1160, a talk-radio station in Cincinnati. The show is broadcast from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

"The program will feature topical information, political analysis, humor, current events and rhetoric with a new twist," said a release from the Kentucky Republican Party.

Carey is a lawyer who has offices in Erlanger and Owenton. He promises to deliver guests that include U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, a Southgate Republican, and both candidates for governor - Democrat Ben Chandler and Republican Ernie Fletcher.

"There are plenty of talking heads on the airwaves now, pontificating about a potpourri of topics," Carey said in a statement. "We are looking to do something different while we'll remain very entertaining."

The Covington Human Rights Commission is hosting a reception in honor of Mayor Butch Callery and the four Covington city commissioners - Jerry Bamberger, Alex Edmondson, Craig Bohman and Bernie Moorman. The commission is being honored for unanimously passing the city's human rights ordinance.

Expected to attend the reception are the members of Covington's Human Rights Commission, including Commissioner Jimmy Williams, who is hosting the event.

It will be 5 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. July 9 at the Amos Shinkle Townhouse, 215 Garrard St., Covington.

To submit an item to Political Notes contact Patrick Crowley by phone, (859) 578-5581; e-mail, pcrowley@enquirer.com; fax, (859) 578-5565; or mail in care of the Kentucky Enquirer, 226 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017. Crowley interviews Kentucky House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan this week on ICN6's "On The Record," broadcast daily on Insight Communications Channel 6.