http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/governors-race-could-hamstring-dems-looking-to-unseat-mcconnell-2007-07-25.html Governor’s race could hamstring Dems looking to unseat McConnell
By Sam Youngman
July 25, 2007
Kentucky Democratic officials say most Democrats who have expressed an interest in running against Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are promising to keep a low profile until after the governor’s election this November.
Defeating Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) is the top priority for state Democrats this year, but whether or not they succeed, the party will have to turn immediately to priority No. 2 — beating McConnell.
Because potential candidates are saying they will wait until after this year’s race to begin raising money seriously against an incumbent who will have an enormous war chest, Bluegrass Democrats could be hamstrung by delayed fundraising efforts.
Plus, whatever funds candidates bring in during that short period could be lessened almost immediately by funding a spring primary.
State Attorney General Greg Stumbo launched an exploratory committee Monday to gauge interest in a run against McConnell, and said he wants to raise $100,000 in the next week to enable that effort.
Stumbo told The Hill on Tuesday he aims to avoid dipping into the same fundraising pools as the Democratic nominee for governor, Steve Beshear.
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