By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

If Northern Kentucky Republicans have their way, Gov. Paul Patton's ethical problems will haunt Democrats on the ballot this fall.

GOP leaders were sharpening their campaign rhetoric following news from Frankfort Tuesday that Patton, a Pikeville Democrat, faces four charges from the Executive Branch Ethics Commission for allegedly abusing his power in granting favors to Tina Conner. Patton had admitted to an affair with Conner, a western Kentucky businesswoman, but has repeatedly denied using his power to help her or her businesses.

When it comes to the issue of Patton, Democrats running for statewide office in November "can run but they can't hide," said Kenton County Republican Party Chairman Greg Shumate.

"They can distance themselves from this administration the best they can," Shumate said. "But we won't let them. We're going to talk about the mess in Frankfort and why there should be a change. That's an obvious message for Republican candidates."

In addition to a governor's race, there are also contested elections for a number of statewide constitutional offices, including attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state and treasurer.

Northern Kentucky Republicans are unopposed in two GOP primaries: Trey Grayson of Park Hills is running for secretary of state; and Adam Koenig, a two-term Kenton County Commissioner from Villa Hills, is running for treasurer. Both will have Democratic opponents in the fall.

"This is par for the course in Frankfort under the Democrats," said GOP activist Brandon Voelker of Taylor Mill, an assistant Kenton County Attorney.

"You hear the political rhetoric in Frankfort about how this is always how it's been done, and this whole episode with Patton is proof that it actually is," Voelker said. "(GOP gubernatorial frontrunner) Ernie Fletcher is running on a theme of throwing out the old down there and bringing in the new. That message is going to resonate loudly this fall because the general public is tired of putting up with this kind of nonsense from Democrats in Frankfort."

Leading Northern Kentucky Democrats are in no way excusing Patton's behavior.

"Obviously, we are disappointed in the governor's personal failings," said Boone County Democratic Party Chairman Howard Tankersley.

"What else can you think about what happened," said Campbell County Party Chairman Terry Mann. "There is no defending (Patton's) actions."

But Democrats also say that trying to saddle the party's candidates with Patton won't work.

"Will Patton hurt Democrats? Absolutely not," Mann said. "There is not a Democrat running for governor who really has any close attachment to the governor."

According to Mann:

• Attorney General Ben Chandler, the Democratic front-runner, has actually investigated Patton for, among other things, alleged election improprieties as well as his relationship with Conner.

• House Speaker Jody Richards, a Bowling Green Democrat also running for governor, has never been closely aligned with Patton.

• Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford, a Kenton County native, has never held office and is not viewed as a Patton ally or supporter.

"The Republicans can try, but I don't see any of Patton's problems spilling over on the Democrats," Mann said. "For better or worse, party labels aren't what they used to be. Any more people tend to choose their candidates first and their party second."

Tankersley said that despite all of Patton's problems "for six-and-half years out of eight years in office he was one of the best governors we've ever had."

Tankersley pointed to gains made in higher education and economic development made under Patton.

Patton was a long-time advocate of the $40 million science building that opened last year on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. And Patton authored or championed many of the policies and programs that helped attract large employers to Northern Kentucky, such as Ashland, Toyota, Fidelity Investments, Delta Air Lines and Citicorp.

"His personal failings should not completely take away from those accomplishments," Tank-ersley said.

But Edgewood Republican Kevin Murphy, who is running for Northern Kentucky's 4th Congressional District seat in the 2004 GOP primary, said it's time for Patton to step aside.

"Until we really enforce these ethics laws by letting it known that if people violate them they will be thrown out of office, this will continue to happen," Murphy said. "Paul Patton has been an incredible disappointment in the ethics department, and he should resign."

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com