Race of the week: Davis vs. Lucas

In a year when all too many state legisla-. tors indulged in "incumbent protection plans" for U.S. House members, competitive challenges to incumbent congressmen seem fewer than in past election years. One exception is Kentucky's 4th District, where Republican newcomer Geoff Davis will face two-term Democratic incumbent Ken Lucas. Republicans held the 4th District seat for more than 30 years until 1998, when a divisive GOP primary was largely responsible for the election of Democrat Lucas, then the judge-executive of Boone County.

Davis attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and later became an Army Ranger, as well as an Assault Helicopter Flight Commander. Along with his military experience, Davis knows how to manage and operate a business. In 1992 he established Capstone, Inc., a manufacturing consulting firm. Davis is also a proverbial pillar of his community, which is not just a campaign claim. He tutors students in inner-city schools and serves on the Board of the Regional Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, which assists children in matters dealing with abuse and neglect.

Lucas seems to be vulnerable in this upcoming election. Two years ago, he was expected to win easily against a Republican who had raised only $63,000 during his entire campaign and was virtually written off by his national party. As it turned out, Lucas won by an unimpressive 54%-to43% margin.

As a member of the "Blue Dog" caucus, the 68-year-old Lucas (lifetime American Conservative Union rating: 67%) has on a number of occasions voted with Republican House members and thus has been dubbed a "conservative Demo-. crat" in the press. He did, for example, vote in favor of President Bush's tax cut last year and pointedly skipped the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles because of his sharp disagreement with Al Gore on tobacco. However, Lucas has also sided with Democrats on the issues of school vouchers, human cloning, and federally funded abortions in prisons. Said House Speaker Denny Hastert. "Ken Lucas, even though he talks like a Republican in Northern Kentucky, goes back to Washington and votes for Democratic leadership and for a Democratic agenda."

Davis has challenged Lucas to six de-. bates, but Lucas has not formally accepted them yet. "There are issues that the people of the 4th District need to ask Mr. Lucas and me in person. They need to see what we stand, for in this election," said Davis. "These families want a stronger economy and a stronger community for their children., They need to be able to make a decision of what is best for their families in this time of change in the world. They want a debate between Mr. Lucas and myself, but that can't happen until he commits to it."

In the meantime, conservatives in the Bluegrass State should have no hesitation about committing to Geoff Davis with their time and money-an investment in one of the best opportunities to elect a solid conservative to the only one of Kentucky's U.S. House`districts that still has a Democratic congressman.

"We figure we're on the beachhead and. are ready to move inland," says Davis. (Geoff Davis 2002, PO. Box 17912, Fort

Mitchell, Ky. 17192; 859-426-7760)

Copyright Human Events Publishing, Inc. Jul 29, 2002
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