By AP
Frankfort, KY – U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning bid the Kentucky Republican Party farewell Saturday night, telling supporters that "it's been great" as he watches two contenders vie for the GOP nomination for his seat.
Bunning, speaking at the GOP's annual Lincoln Day Dinner, cracked jokes and said he was looking forward to time with his family to a crowd that featured multiple notable Republicans. The Courier-Journal reports that U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the
minority leader and once Bunning's closest ally, was absent from the dinner.
Bunning bowed out of an expected reelection bid in July 2009, citing fundraising difficulties. The two Republicans hoping to nab the GOP nomination on May 18, Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Bowling Green opthalmologist Rand Paul, attended the dinner, but did not speak.