By Gregory Korte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST END - A pollster for Democratic State Sen. Mark Mallory has been asking Cincinnatians this week what they would think of a Mallory campaign for mayor in 2005.

Mallory confirmed Thursday that the poll - which asked voters about hypothetical mayoral match-ups - was paid for by his campaign. But he would reveal few specifics and said it didn't necessarily indicate whether he's planning to run.

"I'm trying to gauge public sentiment about the possibility of me running for mayor, and I'm asking people about the issues they think are important," Mallory said from his office in Columbus. "I'm seeing what the climate is, testing the waters. I'm still in my exploratory phase. A lot of people are asking me to consider it, and I'm doing that.

"Being an administrative management major, I don't make decisions without good solid information," he said.

Mallory is also co-chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. Mayor Charlie Luken is also a Democrat and has indicated to council Democrats and party leaders that he plans to run for a final four-year term.

Mallory's poll asked voters about a variety of issues, including crime, the boycott and economic development. It also asked about a possible 2005 match-up among four Democrats: Mallory, Luken, Vice Mayor Alicia Reece and Councilman David Pepper.

E-mail gkorte@enquirer.com