By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NEWPORT - Standing in a successful riverfront development he helped make possible, Kentucky House Speaker Jody Richards formally announced his candidacy Thursday in the 2003 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

"Northern Kentucky will be a very, very important section of the state for us," Mr. Richards said during a late afternoon press conference at the Newport on the Levee entertainment complex.

"And I can tell you Northern Kentucky will have a key role in our campaign. I rely on advice from people from Northern Kentucky as much as any other part of the state."

Mr. Richards pointed out that he supported and helped push passage of the Kentucky Tourism Development Act, which provided a significant tax break for Newport on the Levee.

Mr. Richards also introduced his lieutenant governor running mate, Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk Tony Miller.

Mr. Miller, first elected in 1987 as Jefferson County's circuit court clerk, said Mr. Richards is regarded as a "sincerely genuine, real person of integrity and honesty."

Lt. Gov. Steve Henry is expected to formally enter the Democratic primary soon. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher of Lexington and his lieutenant governor running mate Hunter Bates, a former top aide to Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, became the first Republican team to officially enter the race.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com