4th District Update: GOP's Ben Dusing preparing to run; Florence Mayor not running

Ben Dusing, a lawyer who lives in Kenton County, told Pure Politics on Wednesday that he plans to announce next week that he will run in the Republican primary for the open 4th congressional district seat.

Dusing said he formed a committee to gauge support for his candidacy and said he was encouraged with the results.

He would join at least two others who have announced their intent to run for the GOP nomination: Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore and state Rep. Alecia Webb-Edgington of Fort Wright.

Dusing works in the Cincinnati firm of Baker Hostetler. He is a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the southern district of Ohio and the eastern district of Kentucky, according to his bio on his firm’s site. He also is a former clerk for federal Judge Joseph Hood.

Dusing also serves on the board of directors of Catholic Charities and for Transitions, Inc. — an outreach program for people recovering from alcohol and substance abuse.

Diane Whalen won’t run for Congress

So far, Democrats are having a tougher time attracting interest in the 4th District race.

Diane Whalen, a Democrat and the mayor of Florence, said she won’t be a candidate. In fact, she almost scoffed when asked about it. Whalen is in her fourth term as mayor.