Bunning's goal was to raise $3 million by the Jan. 27 filing deadline for the 2004 election, said Fort Mitchell lawyer Rick Robinson, Bunting's finance chairman and campaign treasurer.

"We hit the number almost two months ahead of schedule," Robinson said Monday. "Even while contributors were giving money in the governor's race, we did exceptionally well. Our fund-raising shows that Jim is in the strongest position he has ever been politically in the state, and it shows that the Democrats are in disarray right now."

Two weeks ago, former Kentucky Attorney General Fred Cowan dropped out of the Democratic Senate primary, saying that in the wake of Republican Ernie Fletcher's victory in the Nov. 4 gubernatorial race "Democrats around the state are understandably dispirited."

"The party is going through a rebuilding phase," Cowan said.

"In this atmosphere, and with a new Republican governor coming into office, I do not believe I can mount a successful campaign against Mr. Bunning."

The only other Democrat that has filed for the race is state Sen. Daniel Mongered, a physician from eastern Kentucky.

Even though Bunning is in "full campaign mode," Robinson said he hears persistent - and untrue - rumors that the senator will not seek a second Senate term.

Robinson said the rumors must have been coming from "wishful thinking Democrats."

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Cincinnati native Jeannie Lausche, a former TV reporter, has been named press secretary for Gov.-elect Ernie Fletcher.

The 1997 graduate of Ohio State University most recently worked at WTVQ-TV in Lexington. She also has worked at stations in Montgomery, Ala.; Zanesville, Ohio; and Dayton, Ohio.

To submit an item for Political Notes, contact Patrick Crowley at pcrowley@enquirer.com; fax, (859) 578-5581; or mail in care of The Kentucky Enquirer, 226 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017.