Covington leaders met with Congressman James Comer Tuesday, where the Kentucky District 1 representative complimented Northern Kentucky’s regional approach to infrastructure, transportation, housing and other initiatives.
Tornado sirens blared during the meeting, but since city leaders only had a limited time with Comer, they made sure to stay in a safe part of the building, with the fire chief monitoring the radar.
The discussion itself centered around infrastructure, transportation, business attraction, housing and workforce development. Comer himself was complimentary of what he characterized as NKY’s regional approach.
“We need to replicate in a lot of the other parts of the state what y’all have done here,” Comer said, as smart phones around the room shrieked weather alerts. “I’ve always been impressed with how the three counties work together, and I think that’s really been a key to your success.”
Comer is a Republican who represents Kentucky District 1 in the House of Representatives. The district has peculiar shape and encompasses much of the southwestern part of the state and a chunk of the middle part of the state.
“It was gerrymandered when I was in college,” Comer said.
Comer formerly served as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture from 2012 to 2016. He was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2000 to 2012 and unsuccessfully sought a nomination as the Republican candidate for the Kentucky governor’s office in 2015. He entered the office of Kentucky District 1 in the U.S. House in November 2016. He currently serves as the chair of the House Oversight Committee in Washington D.C., a role he’s held since January 2023.
Comer is currently seeking reelection to his Congressional seat, yet there’s evidence to suggest he could become the Republican contender for the governor’s race next year. For instance, a plane flew over the Fancy Farm Picnic in Western Kentucky earlier this month saying, “Run, Comer, Run,” according to reporting from the Kentucky Lantern. Most Republicans used their remarks at party events and the picnic to suggest Comer should seek the governorship — including Secretary of State Michael Adams, who had been considering a run himself.
Adams told the Lantern after the picnic that he views Comer as “the best candidate we’ll have.” On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and former Democratic state House leader Rocky Adkins have launched campaigns.
Comer said he would make announcement related to a gubernatorial run in November after this year’s election, adding the focus now was on the Congressional race.
Attendees at the meeting included many of the region’s mayors, administrators and local legislators, including Covington Mayor Ron Washington, Florence Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon, Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves and Fort Wright Mayor David Hatter.
Washington pointed to police recruiting troubles (and issues with recruiting workforce generally) as a key issue for the region. Aubuchon, on the other hand, expressed frustration with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (a point Comer agreed with). Cleves said negligent short-term rental owners were a key issue, and Hatter talked about the need to shore up the state’s cybersecurity.
“When you look at the next four to six years, what do you think are the greatest opportunities for the state?” asked Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann.
Comer said it was important to convince businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators to set up shop in Kentucky.
“That’s what we need to sell in Kentucky, that we’re a business-friendly state,” Comer said.
The mayor and city manager addressed the issue of storm damage later that night at the Board of Commissioners meeting.
“We have a command center set up, and our folks are gathering information on fallen trees and damage assessment and things like that….,” said City Manager Sharmili Reddy. “Duke is also working through their process, so there will be coordination between our crews to help residents.”
“Our prayers and thoughts are with our our community as there’s property damage,” said Mayor Washington later in the evening. “At this time, there’s no reported injuries.”
McKenna Horsley of the Kentucky Lantern contributed reporting to this story.
