Wuchner is running for the 66th House District seat being vacated by Rep. Charlie Walton, the Florence Republican running for state Senate.

Wuchner faces a contested primary against Boone County School Board member Ed Massey, a lawyer from Hebron.

Moore said he does not usually endorse in primaries. However, he said Wuchner "is an exceptional person and candidate, and she will do a great job representing us in the General Assembly."

Wuchner is a first-time candidate with a long history of public service. She raised $20,000 during a fund-raiser earlier this month.

Massey said he was a "bit disappointed" by Moore's endorsement.

"The initial indication was that he was going to remain neutral," Massey said Friday. "But he did tell me that he was instrumental in getting Addia to run, and he felt an obligation to her. We parted friendly and left it at that.

"What wins races is not endorsements, but shoe leather," Massey said.

Moore did say his endorsement was not meant to imply any ill feeling toward Massey as a person or candidate.

"I just have been close to Addia for a long time, and I wanted to come out and support her," he said.

Meanwhile, Boone County Commissioner Charlie Kenner said he is not backing Massey - even though he was listed as a host on an invitation to a Massey fund-raiser.

"I talked to Ed about the race at the Boone County Republican Christmas Party, but either I misspoke or he misunderstood, because I've already made it known that I'm supporting Addia," Kenner said. "I'm friends with her and her husband, Jan, and I gave her $1,000 for her campaign."

Massey acknowledged there may have been "a misunderstanding" between him and Kenner.

"I'm going to call him and fix this problem," Massey said.

Rechtin is running

Campbell County Commissioner Ken Rechtin has formalized plans to run for the seat Kentucky House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan has held since 1986.

Callahan, a Wilder Democrat, will serve out his current term in the 67th House District but not seek re-election next year. The district covers Newport, Dayton, Bellevue, Southgate and Wilder.

"We're very excited about the opportunity to run for what I call the 'Callahan district' ", Rechtin, a Newport Democrat, said Friday. "It's exciting to hopefully follow in the footsteps of someone I truly admire and have great respect for."

Wilder City Councilman Dennis Keene has expressed interest in running in the May Democratic primary but has not yet filed.

Campbell County GOP Chairwoman Barb Haas has said the party will run a candidate in the district.

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Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky's political scene. Contact him by fax, 859-578-5565; E-mail, pcrowley@enquirer.com; or mail in care of The Kentucky Enquirer, 226 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 41017.