BURLINGTON — Tim Hamilton has been a Boone County Commissioner for a little more than a day, but he is certain of one thing: being the lone Democrat is wonderful.

        “The county is almost evenly divided (between Democrats and Republicans),” said Mr. Hamilton, 39. “It may encourage discussion on some issues.”

        Sworn in Saturday, Mr. Hamilton, a Florence optometrist, will serve the final 18 months of Republican Robert Hay's term.

Fiscal Court is Mr. Hamilton's first office, but he said he has some experience. He points to his walking the streets of his native Paintsville handing out fliers for former Johnson County Sheriff Frank Johnson, and working on the campaigns of U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, a Boone County Democrat.

        It's a long way for a teen-ager who stayed up late watching political conventions and election night results and studied issues while his friends pored over baseball and basketball statistics. He said former president Jimmy Carter was an idol.

        “I remember watching both conventions,” Mr. Hamilton said. “(Mr. Carter) just had that charisma. I think the country needed a change.”

        Mr. Hay was considered one of the leaders in Northern Kentucky's anti-abortion movement. Mr. Hamilton said he shares those views.

        “I consider myself pro-life,” he said. “My position is similar to President Bush's — I'm a pro-life conservative.”

        Mr. Hamilton doesn't say much about his stance on other issues, except he's for disciplined growth and wants to preserve as much green space as possible. He also

        wouldn't say whether he would someday seek higher office.

        “I'm going to provide real-life experience for the county,” he said.

        “I will learn more about government as a commissioner, and we'll go from there.”

        When he takes his seat as the District 3 representative, Mr. Hamilton might have a fence to mend. He and District 2 Republican Charlie Kenner disagree about comments Mr. Hamilton made at a court meeting earlier this month concerning how dis trict lines will be redrawn.

        The court picked a three-person committee — Bob Williams, Jack Graham and Gex Williams — to helped redraw its three district boundary lines. Mr. Kenner said Mr. Hamilton was unhappy a Democrat wasn't picked for District 3.

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