FORT MITCHELL — Kenton County Democrats packed a party fund-raiser Thursday morning, raising money and hopes for a renewed political effort in Northern Kentucky's largest county.

        “It's a new day for Democrats in Kenton County,” said Rep. Arnold Simpson, D-Covington, one of the speakers at the breakfast sponsored by the Democrats' Truman Club.

        Saying they are tired of losing members and elections to the Republicans, the Kenton County Democrats used the breakfast as a kick-off of sorts.

        They hope to not only jump-start enthusiasm and interest in the party, but to start looking toward the 2002 county and statehouse elections, when the party will try to retake the Kentucky Senate from the GOP.

        So more than 120 Democrats — including elected offi cials, party and labor leaders and rank-and-file members — paid $100 each Thursday to eat a breakfast of bagels, muffins, coffee and juice while listening to menu of political speeches.

        “With your help, we're going to win (the Senate) back in two years,” said Sen. Marshall Long, D-Shelbyville.

        Democrats once dominated Kenton County politics, holding a 6-to-1 advantage over Republicans in the mid-1960s.

        But as the county's population and affluence grew, more people began voting for Republicans and joining the GOP. According to the secretary of state's office, that 6-to-1 margin has fallen to less than 2-to-1, with 42,848 Democrats to 36,084 Republicans.

        The Republicans have also dominated recent elections, winning control of the county fiscal court, most elected courthouse offices and the county's legislative seats in Frankfort.

        By raising money for the party, promoting a strong agenda and attracting newer members, Democrats feel they can begin to win back offices they used to hold.

        “I congratulate what you are doing,” said Kentucky House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, one of the breakfast speak ers.

        “We need to get the message out that we Democrats are pro-life, pro-business, we believe in traditional values, we believe in morality in government, we believe in honesty in government, we believe in small government,” he said. “And that's what we've tried to do in Frankfort.”

        Noticeable was the party's effort to attract younger members. Among those in attendance were two leaders of the Northern Kentucky University Young Democrats, Josh Wise, 22, of Edgewood, and Travis French, 21, of Elizabethtown.

        “The Democratic Party has a lot to offer young people,” said Mr. Wise. “You look at education and what the Democrats in Frankfort have done for NKU — this party is definitely the place to be.”

        Under Democratic governors, the General Assembly has approved spending millions at NKU on new buildings — including a $38 million science center under construction — and has increased the university's budget.

        Mr. Richards and Mr. Long also said Thursday they are committed to helping land state money to build a new arena at NKU.

        Republicans have not only made gains in Northern Kentucky, but also across the state. The only Democrat in Kentucky's Washington, D.C., delegation is U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, of Boone County. And Republican George W. Bush carried the state by 16 points in the presidential election.

        Kentucky Democratic Party Chairwoman Nicki Patton, the daughter of Gov. Paul Patton, said Democrats in other parts of Kentucky are also gearing up for the next election cycle.

        “The Republicans better look out, because if we are seeing this kind of activity this early, we are going to take back the Senate in '02,” Ms. Patton said to applause.

        But one of the leading Kenton County Republicans said the Democrats have waited too long to make a stand against the GOP.

        “It's about time they woke up,” said Kenton County Republican Party Chairman Greg Shumate, a Villa Hills lawyer.

        “They really haven't done much in the last several years,” Mr. Shumate said. “Apparently they felt they needed to do something in the face of our unprecedented success in Kenton County, and many of the things they are trying to do, like raising money for the party and involving younger people, are things we already do very successfully.”

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