Al Mayo: Judd Is In—Time For Democrats To Get It Together

All signs are now pointing to a certain Ashley Judd candidacy for the U.S. Senate, and if that is truly the case, Kentucky Democrats must figure out a way to avoid an extended primary battle. How they go about it, is the key to whether Judd–or any Democrat–actually has a chance to unseat Republican Mitch McConnell in 2014.

No one in the party–or ANY political party–wants a chance to win a general election derailed in a primary, and it’s happened several times recently around the country. Some have charged the Tea Party movment with creating such situations for the GOP in recent years and they aren’t all wrong. But, as Kentucky showed when Rand Paul took a Senate seat, that was not always the case.

In the case of Kentucky Democrats, this is a bit of a double-edged sword. In addition to Judd, Secretary Of State Allison Lundergan-Grimes is considered a strong possiblility and in her only run at statewide office proved to be a formidable vote-getter. In recent days there’s even been a bit of buzz for Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher, but he’s shown no incliation to enter the race. At least not publically. When it comes to Lundergan-Grimes, Dems want to be careful. She’s considered a rising star, and the future of Democratic politics by some in Kentucky. To send her up against a juggernaut like McConnell so early in her career could kill her future before it gets underway and undermine her chances at higher office.

While others tout Attorney General Jack Conway or former Auditor Crit Luallen as possibilities, both are believed to be considering gubernatorial runs in a few years instead of the Senate race. BUT–that being said, it’s common knowledge that Luallen and Conway are political allies, and Conway considers Luallen to be a political mentor. So the idea of them running against each other seems very remote. If that is the case, it could leave one of them free to consider the Senate. I’d say Conway might be a weaker Senate possibility since his loss to Rand Paul is still fresh in a lot of minds, but Luallen might be convinced to step in as a last-ditch compromise if Judd and Lundergan-Grimes try to face-off in a primary. However this would be a nuclear option for Democrats, and could hurt the party down the road in the next Governor’s race.

In most Democratic circles, Luallen is considered to be a strong overall candidate after her two shining terms as State Auditor. She has tons of political capitol in Frankfort and with the party leadership. She also has the reputation of having the highest standards of integrity. In my opinion, she would do well in any election, but she seems to have an affinity for the Statehouse, and that means Governor or MAYBE Lt. Governor. (but I doubt it.)

So looking at the Democratic field, I’d say a couple of things. Truly, on paper it’s an embarrasment of riches. Several viable candidates most of them female which is always a step forward. But as I mentioned-a primary fight needs to be avoided at all costs. Whatever money the eventual nominee does raise is all going to be needed to unseat McConnell. This is how poitics works, and it’s never dull in Kentucky.