FORT WRIGHT — One of the most anticipated political races of the 2002 election begins in earnest tonight with Democrat Patrick Hughes' announcement of his challenge to Republican Kenton County Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd.

        Mr. Hughes, a Fort Wright lawyer and the head of the Kenton County Democratic Party, is scheduled to make his formal campaign announcement at 5 p.m. at the Fort Mitchell Holiday Inn.

        Though he has never run for or held office, Mr. Hughes, 32, is seen by Kenton County Democrats as a viable challenger to the more politically experienced Mr. Murgatroyd, who served in the Kentucky House of Representatives before being elected to his first term as judge-executive in 1998.

        Republicans have dominated county politics in recent years but Democrats believe Mr. Murgatroyd is vulnerable because he has voted to raise taxes three times and has presided over the court during a tumultuous and still unresolved selection of a new jail location.

        GOP leaders, including county commissioner Adam Koenig and county GOP chairman Greg Shumate, counter by saying Mr. Hughes suffers from poor name recognition and a lack of experience.

        Mr. Hughes said he does have experience dealing with managing taxpayers' dollars.

        After graduating from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Kentucky law school, he worked for the Kentucky Finance Cabinet for nearly four years. He joined the Crestview Hills law firm of Deters, Benzinger and LaVelle four years ago and was elected head of the party late last year.

        Mr. Hughes has said he has more than a year to build his name recognition with voters. And he has been quietly amassing support and raising money for more than a year.

        Mr. Murgatroyd has also been preparing for his campaign. Republicans close to him say he will soon announce the hiring of a campaign consultant.

        Mr. Hughes does plan to step down as party chairman. A search committee has been formed by the Kenton County Democratic Executive Committee to select a new chairman.

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