COVINGTON — Putting to rest months of speculation, Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson is expected to announce today that he will switch parties to become a Republican.

        Mr. Edmondson, a Fort Wright resident who has served two terms, was not available for comment Thursday. But he did announce a press conference for this afternoon.

Edmondson

        Two Kenton County Republican Party sources confirmed that Mr. Edmondson will make the long-expected party switch public today.

        Sources close to Mr. Edmondson have said that he is concerned about winning another race as a Democrat in a county that has increasingly voted Republican.

        But his supporters have also pointed out that Mr. Edmondson has had some well-publicized differences with the Democratic Party and that his personal and political beliefs are more in tune with the GOP.

        “This does not really surprise me; we all assumed it was going to happen,” said Ed Worland, vice chairman of the Kenton County Democratic Party.

        “It's unfortunate,” Mr. Worland said. “But Garry has not been able to support a lot of our Democratic candidates, so maybe it's best that he go ahead and change his party affiliation.”

        Mr. Edmondson's switch sets up what many political activists believe will be an expensive and contentious primary battle with Independence lawyer Eric Deters, the former head of the county GOP.

        “Garry Edmondson said he would only run two terms, and he lied,” Mr. Deters said Thursday. “He said in the past he wouldn't switch parties, and he lied.”

        Word has already surfaced about a Democrat to run for the office in 2002. Among the possible candidates mentioned is Michelle Keller, a Crestview Hills lawyer.

Accomplice says Byrd didn't kill
Man lying in morgue 'not art,' family says
Taft school plan gets short shrift
Family stands by accused mom
Indicted officers' pay to be withheld
'Pimpernel' star inspires
RADEL: Judge's calls for order help maintain court's solemn role
Baby waiting for heart dies
Campbell County grand jury says son abused sick mother
Cops were warned before run-in
Covington, business fight tax
Five win Building Bridges honors
Former minister pleads not guilty
Hamilton won't close fire station
Kenton attorney expected to make switch to GOP today
Kenton Democrats rally
Kits help science learning
Lindner helps Hughes campaign
Lucas sits pretty as Blue Dog
Museum comes to school
Officers escape shotgun scare
Ohio voting systems debated
Trash-flingers targeted
Warren gives more to seniors
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report