By Carl Weiser
Enquirer Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Former Bengals star Anthony Muñoz will lead the rush for President Bush's re-election in Greater Cincinnati, the Bush campaign announced Wednesday.

Muñoz, 46, was named chairman of the Bush campaign's eight-county southwest region. He replaces Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen, who resigned his campaign post last month after acknowledging an extramarital affair with an assistant prosecutor.

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"I believe in George W. Bush as a leader and what he stands for, who he is as a man," Muñoz said. "I believe the country is a safer place because of him."

Muñoz will join Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, at a town meeting at 2 p.m. today at the Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center.

Muñoz said he has no political ambitions of his own. He had been active in outreach on behalf of the Bush campaign to evangelical Christians in Cincinnati, Bush campaign spokesman Kevin Madden said.

In his new, unpaid position, Muñoz will oversee day-to-day operations of the Bush campaign in a critical part of a critical state. The eight counties: Butler, Hamilton, Warren, Clinton, Highland, Clermont, Brown and Adams.

Muñoz, a Mason resident, has helped out other Republicans, including Rep. Steve Chabot and Sen. George Voinovich, with appearances and endorsements. In June, Muñoz gave the greeting at a Hebron fund-raiser for Northern Kentucky Republican U.S. House candidate Geoff Davis, a fund-raiser featuring Cheney. Muñoz is a friend of Bush pal Rob Portman, the congressman from Terrace Park.

"The president knows him, likes him, trusts him, and I'm delighted he's willing to do it. He's a great motivator. He's a leader,'' said Portman.

Since his football career ended in 1992, Muñoz has stayed active in Cincinnati community affairs. He launched the Anthony Muñoz Foundation, ran football camps, and recently joined forces with Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis in several charitable efforts.

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E-mail cweiser@gannett.com