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UPDATE: Steve Arlinghaus responds to the Bunning endorsement of his opponent Knochelmann. See his comments below.

Former US Senator Jim Bunning has thrown his support behind Kenton County Commissioner Kris Knochelmann who is challenging County Judge-Executive Steve Arlinghaus in the Republican primary for the county’s highest office.

There is no Democratic candidate.

“Kris brings a record of Republican leadership and fiscal sanity to the Fiscal Court,” Bunning said in a news release. “He will undoubtedly use his experience running successful businesses, balancing budgets, and creating jobs to make Kenton County better and stronger. Kris’s integrity should be an example for other elected officials in Northern Kentucky.”

“Senator Bunning is the standard-bearer for what it means to be Republican in Northern Kentucky,” Knochelmann said in the news release. “When many politicians, including my opponent, were Democrats, Jim was standing up for Republican causes of fiscal responsibility and government transparency. I have always admired the Senator’s ability to stand up for what is right versus what would benefit him politically.   I am honored to have his support and will work to emulate his example as a principled conservative when I am elected.”

Senator Bunning will be a special guest at a reception for Knochelmann in Crescent Springs on the evening of Wednesday April 16th. 

Bunning is currently managing the reelection campaign of Campbell County Sheriff Jeff Kidwell. The former senator retired in 2010 after two terms in the Senate and several terms as a US Representative and Southgate municipal officeholder. 

Former Congressman Geoff Davis also endorsed Knochelmann.

Steve Arlinghaus responded to Bunning’s endorsement in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

“I find it ironic that the recent endorsements for my opponent are by two former federal legislators who don’t live in Kenton County, including one who now works as a lobbyist, and who haven’t served in public office for several years,” Arlinghaus said. “On the other hand, I have been endorsed by the vast majority of sitting mayors in Kenton County as well as other city and county elected officials. They support me because they recognize the good work I have done as Kenton County Judge-Executive since being elected in 2010.”
 
Arlinghaus’s statement included a list of thirteen current Kenton County mayors, a current Kenton County city administrator, Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn, and County Commissioner Jon Draud.
 
Arlinghaus also accused Knochelmann of being part of a previous fiscal court that he said ran up a budget deficit that the incumbent inherited.
 
“If the Kenton County voters want a true fiscal conservative as Judge-Executive, they need to vote for me in the May primary, not a tax-and-spend politician like Kris Knochelmann,” Arlinghaus said.

Photo: Jim Bunning