KY-4: Kentucky's Lucas Won't Seek Another Term

[goobergunch]

By BRUCE SCHREINER
Associated Press Writer

November 24, 2003, 2:13 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Rep. Ken Lucas, the only Democrat in Kentucky's congressional delegation, announced Monday he would not run for a fourth term next year.

He endorsed television personality Nick Clooney, father of actor George Clooney and brother of the late singer Rosemary Clooney, as his successor in northern Kentucky's 4th District. It will be Clooney's first run for elective office.

Lucas said he would honor a pledge he made in his first campaign to limit himself to three terms. It was a reversal from earlier this year, when he said he would run for a fourth term after all. That decision had become "an ever-increasing problem for me and my conscience," Lucas said Monday.

"I have always considered myself a citizen legislator," Lucas said in a statement. "In my three previous elective positions, I have voluntarily stepped down each time."

more...http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-kentucky-congress,0,6435764.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

Hopefully Clooney can win this seat. But I'm not optimistic. Yet another seat made much more difficult to win....Lucas may be a DINO, but he's still a Dem. :(

[pezcore64]

1. Well..

As some one who lives in the district lucas currectly represents, Im pretty optimistic about Clooneys chances. They are a well known and well respected family in the northern kentucky area. I know he will carry my county(mason) and his own(bracken) for sure.

[jiacinto]

2. KY-4 is the most Republican seat in the state

This one's all but gone.

[Doomsayer13]

3. I agree

I think we've lost this one. All kentucky districts lean republican and Lucas was barely able to make it even after moderating himself to the point of conservatism.

[pezcore64]

4. Well....

ONCE AGAIN, as someone who LIVES IN THIS DISTRICT , I think we have nothing to fear. Look, this so called district thats always republican has voted a democrat to represent them the last 3 elections so i think its fair to say that statement is not true!

As I say, Nick is a very respected person in this area. Hes pretty much a a celebrity. His family has ties to all over the NKY area. Believe me when I say that unless repubs pull a rabbit out of a hat, demos will keep this seat. Nick is running as a MODERATE democrat who is against abortion but against the war in Iraq. Trust me, people will vote for him.


Id also look for Chandler(who lost the governorship) to take Ernie Fletchers old Rep seat.

So i forsee 2 Demo rep seats from KY come next election.

You guys are arent very optimistic, and you arent even from my state!

Hes already got Repubs in the state on the defensive!
"State Sen. Charlie Borders(R) said Clooney may be a good candidate, but views on tobacco, pro-choice, pro-life and gaming will be very important in the upcoming race.

'My concern is that we will continued to be represented by a conservative voice in Washington,' Borders said. 'I want to hear what Clooney has to say on major issues. Whoever we send needs to reflect our concerns.'"

http://maysville-online.thimblemedia.com/article.asp?catid=2&articleid=1664

They are already trying to peg him with the "liberal" attacks as well. He laughed at them for calling him liberal when interviewed on a local news channels interview.

[mndemocrat_29]

5. Clooney seems like a wonderful candidate

Also, has Ben Chandler announced he'd run for Fletcher's seat? If he has, I also look for him to take that. If we can take Northup's seat in 2004, we could have half of the delegation!

[jiacinto]

7. I wish that someone would announce against Bunning

That's a seat that can't go uncontested.

[mndemocrat_29]

9. I know

I really wonder why Lucas didn't decide this earlier. Do you think he'll reconsider running against Bunning? Or possibly have Jonathan Miller run? Either would give Bunning a good run.

[jiacinto]

6. Well

I'll take your words for it. But the numbers and the partisan tilt of the 4th make it a tough hold.

[teevee]

8. clooney will win in 04

I, too, live in the 4th district and I'll tell you straight up that as long as we work hard, we've got this election in the bag. People are talking about Nick Clooney all over the place.

He is a celebrity and used to be the local news anchor in Cincinnati. His son george is the only real celebrity from here and Nick still writes (up until he announced yesterday) columns in the local papers.

This is big time here. trust me. As long as we don't take it for granted, we've got this one.

Chandler hasn't announced yet, but I've heard the same rumors.

Don't know who we can get to oust the terrible two: Bunning and McConnell.

Gov. Patton was supposed to, but then his penis took over and he's no longer a viable candidate.

Looks like we're stcuk with those two......as much as it makes me sick.

[jiacinto]

10. What about Jonathan Miller, the State Treasuer?

nt

[UnapologeticLiberal]

11. Clooney is a Democrat, right?

There was talk of Lucas switching parties at the beginning of the 108th so I wanted to make sure he was not pulling a Zell Miller and endorsing a Republican.

[teevee]

12. yes, clooney is a lifelong dem.

and soon to be member of the House of Reps.

[NewJerseyDem]

13. Well

So is Zell Miller. I'm not saying that Clooney is like Zell Miller but a lot of so called lifelong democrats are very much like the democrats of today. Do you know what Clooney's positions are on any major issues?