UNION — Democrat Michael Moore, a small-business owner who has never held elected office, will challenge Boone County Republican state lawmaker Paul Marcotte in next year's Kentucky Statehouse elections.

        Mr. Moore, 46, the owner of a carpet cleaning and painting business and the father of three, said he could bring real-life experiences to the Kentucky statehouse in Frankfort.

        “I'm a father, a businessman and I've been a farmer, so I think I really know what is on people's minds,” Mr. Moore said last week during a Boone County Democratic Party function in Burlington.

        “And a lot of people in the county already know me,” he said. “They know I am a conservative and that I'll run as a conservative Democrat.”

        But running in the largest county in the state controlled by the GOP against an entrenched Republican who has never lost a race and hasn't had an opponent since 1996 will be a daunting challenge for a political neophyte like Mr. Moore.

        Yet Mr. Moore is confident his call for new ideas will bring attention, votes and contributions to his campaign.

        For instance, he plans to help farmers move away from their dependence on tobacco by promoting alternative crops and livestock such as cabbage and catfish.

        Mr. Moore thinks that can be accomplished through more aggressive marketing of the crops and livestock.

Mr. Moore also said he opposes abortion and plans to run “a clean campaign.” Last week he delivered a homemade cake to his opponent's Union home.

        “He wasn't there, but his wife was, and we had a real nice talk,” Mr. Moore said.

        Mr. Marcotte said he would prefer not to have an opponent but he'll do what it takes to keep the seat he has held since 1994.

        “Whenever I talk to school groups I encourage people to run for office, and now it looks like that is happening to me,” Mr. Marcotte said.

        Mr. Marcotte, 73, is a retired executive from a company that owned and operated convenience and small grocery stores. He represents the 60th House District, which covers southern Boone County and all of Gallatin, Carroll and Trimble counties, all largely rural communities.

        Mr. Marcotte said he will run on his record of opposing abortion, backing economic development initiatives and incentives in Northern Kentucky, voting against higher taxes and supporting spending on projects such as the $38 million state-funded science building at Northern Kentucky University.

11-year-old convicted of killing sister
Jury chosen for police officer
Smallpox response a concern
Web sites changing council campaigns
GOP council slate young, multiracial, outspoken
Election Notebook
City schools chief to get $45K raise
200 rally against police brutality
PULFER: Delta Queen symbol of our values
Good News: Program assists schools
Initiative offers stroke info
Levies up for roads, fire safety
Local Digest
Magnet schools invite visitors to look at programs
Student teachers competitive on Ohio licensing test
UC faculty to vote on strike permission
Crosses will mark graves at cemetery
Increase sought in county hotel tax
NATO commander returns to alma mater
School mourns girl's death
Bike path funding seems unlikely
Butler voters to consider two tax issues
Candidates questioned over growth
Congrats
Jail proposed for downtown Covington
Where to put jail? Site plays hopscotch
Newport OKs development deal
Program assists needy
Democrat to challenge Marcotte
General might run for governor
Group hopes to preserve one-room school
Hospital workers choose union
Kentucky Digest
Ky. using tobacco money to woo convention