Last week the Northern Kentucky GOP didn't have a candidate for statewide office. This week, the party might be looking at a primary next year between two of its own.

Word has it that Park Hills lawyer Trey Grayson, a member of the Kenton County Republican Executive Committee, is close to mounting a campaign for secretary of state. Kenton County Commissioner Adam Koenig, a Republican from Villa Hills, declared last week that he might run for secretary of state in the '03 primary.

Mr. Grayson, 30, isn't talking - at least not to the press. But he has run the idea past some area Republicans, including Crestview Hills councilman and longtime GOP activist Frank Sommerkamp.

"I think it would be great if Trey ran," Mr. Sommerkamp said. "He's a hard worker, he's already shown that he can put together an organization, and he has a wife (Nancy) who will aid and abet his political plans, and that's very important."

Mr. Grayson has shown some talent as an organizer, working with other young Republicans in the area - Marc Wilson, Dave Hatter and Steve Smith among them - to form the Commonwealth Political Action Committee, a PAC that gives money to GOP candidates. Part of the PAC's goal is to also attract young professionals into the Republican Party, a shrewd move for somebody like Mr. Grayson who is trying to build an organization.

Dems were howling that the primary will split the party, cause angst among the Republican ranks and dilute support for the eventual winner.

This is good news for Northern Kentucky Republicans. It shows that the party has a deep, young bench - something the Democrats would kill for.

Take a look at all the Republicans pondering a run at the Fourth District Congressional seat in 2003:

Geoff Davis, who ran this year and nearly knocked off incumbent Democrat Ken Lucas.

Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery, who, sources say, is getting closer and closer to jumping into the race.

State Rep. Jon Draud, a maverick who appeals to the vital middle, although that could hurt him in a primary.

Edgewood lawyer Kevin Murphy, also a bit of a rebel who is great at telling his fellow Republicans what they need to hear when they don't want to listen.

Businessman Paul Hemmer, a political neophyte but one who has money, a name and the will to run a hard race.

If Mr. Lucas lives up to his term-limit pledge and doesn't seek a fourth term, whom will the Democrats put up as a candidate? Is there Democratic talent out there willing to run for office?

GOP candidates are falling all over themselves, but so far I haven't heard a single name of a potential Democratic successor for Mr. Lucas if he steps down.

If you know of someone, shoot me an e-mail. I know the Dems have some talented members of their party - lawyers Mark Guilfoyle, Patrick Hughes,Rob Sanders and Kristi Nelson, Campbell County Commissioners Dave Otto, Bill Verst and Ken Rechtin, Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney Jack Porter, Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, Kenton County Party Chairman Nathan Smith,and a few others.

But none seems willing or able - at least, at this point - to jump into a statewide or Congressional race.

So that leaves the Republicans fighting among themselves.

Mr. Koenig and Mr. Grayson may begin to claw at one another in a GOP primary. And since neither has any name recognition outside of Northern Kentucky, the odds are long.

But would you prefer the alternative: a lack of candidates and few prospects? If so, you must be a Democrat.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com