Democratic congressional candidate Nick Clooney raised more money in April than the Republicans running in the Fourth District GOP primary. Clooney, of Augusta in Bracken County, raised $58,755 during April and had $445,104 cash on hand.

Republican Geoff Davis of Boone County raised $19,805 and spent $66,856. Kevin Murphy, an Erlanger Republican, raised $10,430 and spent $106,011.

Clooney spent about $35,000 during the month.

John "Kelly" King of Union is also running in the GOP primary, which is May 18.

Murphy and Davis have announced they have been endorsed by Kentucky Right to Life, based in Louisville.

WHAT A DEAL: Covington City Commission candidate Jerry Stricker says he will donate his first year's salary to charity if elected to office.

Stricker announced that earlier this week during a campaign forum for the 11 candidates for city commission. The top eight finishers in the May 18 primary will run for the four commission seats in November.

Commissioners are paid about $19,000 a year and serve for two years.

"I will be a full-time commissioner at half the price," Stricker said. "It will give me an opportunity to not only serve the people of Covington, but also help our local charities."

During the forum, candidate Jonathan Thurman made the same pledge, promising to give his salary to a homeless shelter.

MEET 'EM: The Boone County Republican Party is holding a Meet the Candidates Night Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Florence Nature Park. Congressional and statehouse candidates running in the May 18 primary have been invited to attend.

For more information contact party chairman Kenny Brown at 859-647-7595.

GOVERNOR'S EAR: A representative of Gov. Ernie Fletcher will visit county offices in Northern Kentucky later this month. A statement from Fletcher's office says the visits are designed "to answer questions about issues in state government and provide a link between Kentuckians and their governor."

Visits are scheduled as follows:

• Boone County, 8:30 a.m. May 20, fiscal courtroom in the Boone County Administration Building, Burlington.

• Kenton County, 10:30 a.m. May 20, fiscal court conference room in the Kenton County Administration Building, Covington.

• Campbell County, 1 p.m. May 20, fiscal court office in the Campbell County Fiscal Court Building, Newport.

• Gallatin County, 8:30 a.m. May 25, Mary Ellen Bogardus Extension Office, Warsaw.

• Grant County, 1 p.m. May 27, room 16 in the Grant County Courthouse, Williamstown.

• Pendleton County, 3 p.m. May 27, community room in the Pendleton County Courthouse, Falmouth.

KENTON DEMS: The Kenton County Democrat Club will meet Monday at 6 p.m. at Walt's Hitching Post at the corner of Kyles Lane and Madison Pike in Fort Wright. Agenda items include a discussion of the May 18 primary.

For information contact Steve Hoffman at 859-292-8883 or by e-mail at sljhoffman@fuse.net.

FRANZEN FUND-RAISER: Campbell County Circuit Judge candidate Steve Franzen will hold a fund-raiser Thursday 6-8 p.m. at the home of Jim and Darcy Doepker, 70 Walden Lane, Fort Thomas. Minimum suggested donation is $50. For information call 441-6007.

BOONE DEMS: The Boone County Democratic Party will meet May 17 at 7 p.m. at Shakey's Pub and Grub, U.S. 42 in Florence. A representative of the Florence Freedom minor-league baseball team will be guest speaker.

For information, contact party chairman Howard Tankersley at 859-647-1983.

To submit an item to Political Notes contact Patrick Crowley by e-mail, pcrowley@enquirer.com; fax, 859-578-5581; or mail in care of The Kentucky Enquirer, 226 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 41017.