ELECTION 2004 Republican Geoff Davis, Democrat Nick Clooney and Independent Michael Slider. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

• Clashes get tense in debate • New-voter signups soaring • Democrats winning race to sign up new voters • Increase in ripped-off signs gauges raw election emotion • Southgate headed to special vote on school tax • Gas tax stirs Senate campaign • 34th District race: Hot, cool as Brinkman, Miller contrast • Cocaine for voter registration fraud alleged • Park 'giveaway' roils levy • Early voting opens in Florida, and a few problems are reported • Blackwell proposes allowing ballots to be cast at wrong place • Bush, Kerry step up rhetoric on Iraq war • And down the stretch they come... • Borgman cartoon • Kentucky candidates guide • Election 2004 section

But Wallace's campaign said the Grant County Democrat has not said he would push for an increase in the state's gas tax, but that it is an issue that should be looked at when record oil prices eventually fall.

Wallace is retired superintendent of the Pendleton County and Williamstown schools. He is challenging state Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, in the 17th Senate District race. The district covers Grant, Owen and Scott counties and most of Kenton County south of Interstate 275, including Taylor Mill and Independence.

Republicans claim that in media interviews, Wallace has said the tax on gas should be increased to raise badly needed revenue for the state. But Thayer claims Wallace denied that during an Oct. 14 candidate forum in Grant County.

"This just proved once again that you cannot trust Democrats like (presidential candidate) John Kerry and Cliff Wallace when it comes to taxes," Thayer said.

Kentucky GOP Chairman John McCarthy said Wallace "is trying to have it both ways."

"He's trying to run away from his own position," McCarthy said.

Wallace campaign spokesman Eric Gentry, meanwhile, tied Thayer and Gov. Ernie Fletcher to the health-care crisis going on in Frankfort. Fletcher has called lawmakers into a special session to deal with health insurance increases for state employees.

"This is typical of (Thayer) to not focus on the real problems in Kentucky," Gentry said. "Cliff Wallace has never said he would raise the gasoline tax. He has always said it should not even be considered until oil prices become steady.

"The only flip-flopping going on in this race is Damon flip-flopping away from Ernie Fletcher and his miserable health-care plan," Gentry said.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com