Posted on 01/30/2006 10:20:23 AM PST by Theodore R.
Lucas comes out of retirement to run for Congress again BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press
FRANKFORT, Ky. - Former Rep. Ken Lucas came out of political retirement today to challenge freshman Rep. Geoff Davis for the congressional seat in northern Kentucky that he gave up after three terms to fulfill a campaign pledge. Lucas, 72, a conservative Democrat who often aligned himself with Republicans, said he was lured back to politics by the bruising partisanship and "widespread public corruption" in Congress. Lucas tried to link Davis to both in announcing his candidacy for the 4th District, which has been a traditional Republican stronghold. "I'm disappointed that Geoff Davis has done nothing to separate himself from many of the figures involved in those scandals," Lucas said in a statement. He added that Davis has voted in lockstep with the GOP House leadership "at the expense of bipartisan cooperation and good will." Lucas said he can work across party lines, noting his support for President Bush's efforts on homeland security and the economy, including tax cuts. Bush easily carried the 4th District in 2000 and 2004. In 2000, Lucas distanced himself from Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore. Lucas, a longtime financial adviser and former judge-executive in Boone County in the populous Cincinnati suburbs, entered the race when supporters dropped off his filing papers at the secretary of state's office at the Capitol. Lucas' return to politics sets up a rematch with Davis. Davis released a statement saying he looked forward "to a spirited campaign," but said he was confident he'd win. "I am proud of my record of achievement after 13 months in Congress, and I will run on that record," Davis stated. Lucas did not immediately return a call seeking comment. In his final re-election campaign in 2002, Lucas narrowly defeated Davis - then a political newcomer - in the sprawling 4th District, which stretches from the West Virginia border to the suburbs near Louisville. Two years later, Davis defeated Nick Clooney to win the seat, which had been held by Republicans for decades until Lucas' victory in 1998. Lucas stuck by his term-limits pledge and retired from Congress. His supporters mounted a grass roots campaign last year urging Lucas to challenge Davis.
I read that first part of the title and thought this was going to be an article about Star Wars Episodes VII-IX...
That should be a big help for Davis. We all know what reaching out to the Democrats for "bipartisanship" has done for us.
Then why not BE a Republican.
Don't be like two-faced Zell Miller, who somehow rationalized living in the past while giving liberal Dems the majority they wanted. Of course, the difference here is that this is in the House, where Republicans have a comfortable majority.
No, in the words of the late Ted Knight, it's "too close for comfort."
wow the Democrat Party really is the party of desperation.
"said he was lured back to politics by the bruising partisanship and "widespread public corruption" in Congress"
So he wants to get himself some of that Public Corruption?
What am embarrassment... for Lucas. His was a fluke win under unusual circumstances in what is, I believe, the most Republican district in KY. This might be a blowout as big as Fletcher over Scotty Baesler in 2000.
A 72 y/o freshman Congressman? It's absurd. Lucas was one of the more reasonable Congressmen. If he'd run against Jim Bunning, he'd have won. But he won't win this.
Hey, maybe the 'Rats will give him "seniority." Get it ? Seniority ! Bwahahahahaha !!! I just kill myself. ;-0
In 2002, Lucas defeated Davis 51-48. Lucas was the incumbent, and Davis was a complete unknown and was grossly underfunded. The NRCC also sat it out. This time, Davis will be the incumbent, much better known, much better funded, and I doubt the NRCC will sit it out.
Disappointing numbers? He won by a double digit margin. His opponent wasn't exactly a slacker, either, and was in fact a celebrity related to other celebrities.
Are you kidding me? He beat St. Nicholas Clooney pretty easily consider he started out trailing in the polls to the "dream candidate". Rep. Davis is a real solid guy and I don't think he'll have too much trouble holding the seat against Lucas.
My apologies, I should have been more clear. Considering his opponent and the support he had in the district from established Republican politicians, Davis had trouble with fundraising early and ran a somewhat lackluster- if ultimately sucessful, campaign.
I personally like Rep. Davis and think he'll do fine in the race- as I said previously. I just have concerns.
Geoff Davis beat Nick Clooney in 2004 by 54%-44% while President Bush was getting 63% in the district and Senator Bunning was getting over 60% (Bunning matched Bush's performance in the three suburban Cinci counties, but I'm pretty sure he trailed Bush in the rural counties). Turnout in 2006 should be much lower, which normally helps Republicans, but Davis will not have the benefit of having Bush and Bunning atop the ballot.
Lucas's weakest areas were the Louisville exurbs, but Shelby County was removed in 2002 redistricting and replaced by rural counties in Eastern Kentucky, which made the district less Republican and without which Davis would have defeated Lucas in 2002.
I think Davis will be favored against Lucas, but we can't mail this one in, since Lucas is a formidable opponent with a base in the heavily Republican suburban counties and great appeal in the rural counties. I hope DJ is correct and that this is a reprise of Fletcher-Bassler 2000, but I doubt that Lucas will make such serious mistakes as Bassler did (the idiot actually campaigned on gun control!) and 2006 may not be as good a Republican year in Kentucky as 2000 was.
I think the reason why Clooney did so well was because he was a celebrity candidate and managed to fool a lot of people into thinking he was nearly as liberal as his moonbat progeny. I can't imagine what justification Lucas can make for a return to Congress. He may be a Conservative Democrat, but his presence in their caucus empowers not Conservatives but the liberal 'Rats.
exactly. Lucas will work for Pelosi and Maxine Waters, not his country. He is a fool to come back.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.