Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced Monday that she will challenge Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2014.
“I’m here today to tell you that I’ve met with my supporters, we have had a great conversation and determined and decided that we can next make the best move, the best difference in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by running for the U.S. Senate,” Ms. Grimes said at a press conference in Frankfort, Ky.
The Kentucky native is the first Democrat to mount a challenge against the Senate minority leader, the Huffington Post reported. Actress Ashley Judd had considered running against him, but decided against it back in March.
“Accepting the invitation from countless Washington liberals to become President Obama’s Kentucky candidate was a courageous decision by Alison Lundergan Grimes and I look forward to a respectful exchange of ideas,” Mr. McConnell said upon hearing the news.
“The next sixteen months will provide a great opportunity for Kentuckians to contrast a liberal agenda that promotes a war on coal families and government rationed health care with someone who works everyday to protect Kentuckians from those bad ideas,” he added.
A poll conducted by the Senate Majority PAC in May showed Ms. Grimes and Mr. McConnell tied in a hypothetical matchup, the Huffington Post said.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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