FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes says she will run against Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, ending the search by Democrats to find a competitive challenger ahead of next year’s election.
Grimes announced her decision Monday afternoon in Frankfort.
Touted as the Democrats’ best hope of unseating McConnell in next year’s election, Grimes had been considering the race since actress Ashley Judd opted out in March.
Former Democratic Party Chairman Bill Garmer and Kentucky environmental attorney Tom FitzGerald had said they would consider the race if Grimes had declined. Three longshot Democrats have declared their intentions to run.
Defeating McConnell would be the Democrats’ biggest prize of the 2014 election. His seat is one of 14 that Republicans are defending, while Democrats try to hold onto 21.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
