Tags : Jim Bunning, ron paul
Kentucky Sen. Bunning Retires, Ron Paul’s son may replace him
Washington, D.C. (AHN) – Weeks after raising only $300,000 for the second quarter and amid continued pressure from the Republican leadership, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) on Monday capitulated, announcing that he would not seek a third term next year.
“Speaking out against bailouts and wasteful spending supported by the Republican leadership in the Senate and a Republican President last year angered many of my colleagues in my own party,” he said in a statement. “But I didn’t run for public office for fame or public acclaim. When I cast a vote I think about how it will affect my grandchildren and the next generation of Kentuckians, not my next election or invitation to a D.C. cocktail party.”
“Over the past year, some of the leaders of the Republican Party in the Senate have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising,” he added. “The simple fact is that I have not raised the funds necessary to run an effective campaign for the U.S. Senate.”
Bunning, a former major league baseball pitcher, previously grabbed headlines for predicting the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He has suffered poor approval ratings and been at odds with the GOP leadership, criticizing Senate Minority Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for refusing to endorse him and threatening to sue the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) if it did not support his campaign.
Republicans are said to be seeking a stronger candidate against Democrats in next year’s mid-term elections. Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who was elected as the youngest secretary of state in the nation in 2003, began an exploratory committee in May with Bunning’s blessing, leading to speculation that the 77-year-old senator is retiring.
Grayson had made clear he would not run against Bunning, and on Monday he said in a statement he “will soon transition [his] exploratory committee to an official campaign committee.”
He also praised the senator, saying, “Kentucky has been blessed to have Jim Bunning as one of our United States Senators and as a Member of the House of Representatives before that. Senator Bunning has served Kentucky honorably, has always dedicated himself to what’s best for Kentucky and our country, and has been one of the most fiscally responsible elected officials – a rarity in Washington.”
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo are seeking the Democratic nomination for the race. Conway raised more than $1.325 million in the second quarter, while Mongiardo took in $302,000.
Mongiardo, who nearly beat Bunning in 2004, in a statement downplayed the exit of his old rival. “Our campaign’s never been about Jim Bunning; it’s about fighting for affordable healthcare, affordable energy, and good jobs for Kentucky’s hard-working families. Today’s announcement does not change that,” he said.
Rand Paul, a medical doctor, political activist and the son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), has also launched an exploratory committee.
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