2014 U.S. Senate Race

Lower Tier Candidates May Cause Problems for Democrats in US Senate Race

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:19:52 +0000

Now it's Heather French Henry's turn.

The former Miss America has joined a list of half a dozen party activists or leaders waiting for Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes to decide whether she'll run in 2014 against Mitch McConnell for his U.S. Senate seat.

If Grimes runs, she's likely to get enough support to clear out the field. Otherwise, the Democrats have potential candidates known within political circles, but who may be not instantly recognizable with the majority of voters—former state Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gorman or environmental activist Tom FitzGerald, for example.

Kentucky Republicans Beef Up Campaign Army for U.S. Senate Race; Democrats on Standby

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:19:14 +0000

Senator Mitch McConnell's next election is a year and a half away…and he doesn't have a serious opponent. But this hasn't stopped him from amassing significant money and personnel for his re-election.

Every week, new field directors, political staff and fundraisers join the effort to re-elect McConnell. But while they have the same goal, they don't have the same boss. Some of the staffers work for McConnell's campaign. Others for the Republican Party of Kentucky. And others work for SuperPACs.

Kentucky PAC Recording of Sen. McConnell Stirs Controversy

Gabe Bullard (KPR), Kenny Colston (KPR) and Phillip M. Bailey (KPR) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:03:11 +0000

Yesterday, WFPL News reported that Progress Kentucky, a liberal Super PAC, was behind the secret recording of a recent campaign strategy session between Senator Mitch McConnell and his re-election team. The story has exploded, and it's the second time Progress Kentucky has drawn national headlines. And as Kentucky Public Radio's Gabe Bullard reports, neither incident has done the group any favors.

McConnell Says Office Was Bugged

Dan Conti (KPR) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:29:26 +0000

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell has asked the FBI to find out who placed a recording device in his Louisville campaign office and recorded a private meeting held on February 2^nd. That recording was of Republican McConnell and his aides strategizing about potential democratic opponents in next year’s election. A transcript of the discussion was published today in Mother Jones magazine and the senator’s aides are heard talking about research into actress Ashley Judd’s religion and mental health. At the time, Judd was considering a challenge to McConnell.

Poll: McConnell in Close Races With Potential Opponents

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:07:19 +0000

A new poll shows Sen. Mitch McConnell with a precarious lead over potential Democratic challengers.

The survey from Public Policy Polling shows McConnell with a four point lead over Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes—45 to 41—and a five point lead over former Congressman Ben Chandler.

Potential Republican Challenger to Mitch McConnell Expanding Outreach to Kentucky Tea Party

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:17:35 +0000

A Louisville businessman exploring a Republican primary against U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is setting up meetings with Tea Party groups in Central Kentucky.

David Adams, a tea party activist from Central Kentucky, said he's planning to meet with Matt Bevin next week in Lexington with other activists to familiarize themselves with Matt Bevin, the possible Republican Senate candidate and a Louisvillian who runs the Connecticut-based Bevin Brothers Manufacturing.

Edelen Wants To See Woman Candidate In 2014 Senate Bid

John Walker — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:23:30 +0000

State Auditor Adam Edelen is looking for a 2014 democratic victory over Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell. Edelen was the keynote speaker at banquet sponsored by the Murray State College Democrats Saturday evening. He says although he would prefer to see Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes run over Actress Ashley Judd, he will support whoever the party chooses. But he doesn’t think that person should be a man.

Gun Control Group Continues Ad Campaign Against Mitch McConnell

Phillip M. Bailey — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:35:16 +0000

Progressive Change Campaign Committee has launched a new ad criticizing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell over proposed gun control measures.

This is the second spot by the group to target McConnell, and like the previous ad it features a Kentucky gun owner and military veteran who supports a ban on assault weapons.

Watch:

Gov. Beshear, Ashley Judd to Meet Soon to Discuss 2014 U.S. Senate Race

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:24:20 +0000

Ashley Judd—the actress and potential Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate—will meet soon to with Gov. Steve Beshear to discuss the 2014 election, Beshear said on Thursday.

Matthew Bevin Confirms Tea Party Meetings, Interest in Challenging Mitch McConnell

Phillip M. Bailey (KPR) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:23:31 +0000

Louisville businessman Matthew Bevin is interested in taking on Republican Mitch McConnell in a primary election, but no final decision has been made.

Bevin is owner of the Connecticut-based Bevin Brothers Manufacturing, a bell-making company that has been in his family over 150 years. He is also an adviser to Waycross Partners, an investment firm in downtown Louisville.

In a statement sent to WFPL, Bevin spokeswoman Amy Lowe says the investor has met with "various individuals and groups" including Tea Party groups in Kentucky, who have voiced "frustration with their current representation."

From Bevin's spokeswoman:

These meetings, together with the recent reaction to the possibility of a primary race, have served to reaffirm the general sense of political disenchantment among many voters in Kentucky that has been widely reflected in recent articles and polls.