Conservative groups signal interest in McConnell primary challenger

Mitch's worst nightmare...


Conservative groups signal interest in McConnell primary challenger
By Alexandra Jaffe - 07/24/13 10:42 AM ET


Several national conservative groups on Wednesday put Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on notice they're open to backing a Tea Party primary challenger to him in 2014, giving the Kentucky senator an unwanted headache as he heads into reelection.

The Senate Conservatives Fund, the Club for Growth and the Madison Project all said they'll look at endorsing Kentucky businessman Matt Bevin, who officially announced his candidacy Wednesday, over McConnell.

"We're open to supporting Matt Bevin's campaign and will be waiting to see if the grassroots in Kentucky unite behind him. The only way to defeat Mitch McConnell is to inspire the grassroots to rise up and fight for their freedoms," SCF executive director Matt Hoskins said in a statement.

Hoskins added that the fund would be watching to see what kind of campaign McConnell runs in the coming weeks.

"We will also be watching to see if Mitch McConnell debates the issues, or if he conducts a dirty smear campaign. If McConnell doesn't respect the voters enough to defend his own record, he doesn't deserve to be in the Senate," he said.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/313121-conservative-groups-signal-interest-in-mcconnell-primary-challenger