Democrats are convinced that Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is vulnerable in next year’s midterm elections. Even the most vulnerable Senator, however, needs an opponent in order to lose. Actress Ashley Judd floated, and then quickly deflated, her own trial ballon about opposing McConnell. Dem hopes now seem to be focused on 34-year-old Alison Lundergen Grimes to challenge McConnell. She comes into the race with considerable family baggage.
With Judd’s exit from the race, and without any Tier-1 candidates to challenge McConnell, KY Democrats are looking to newly elected Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes to take on the veteran Senator. The 34-year-old has only been in elected office for 2 years, but she comes from a storied KY Democrat political family. The stories, however, are not all positive.
Grimes’ father is Jerry Lundergan, a long-time KY legislator and one-time head of the KY Democrat party. He was forced to resign both positions when he was convicted of an ethics violation. His catering company inappropriately received a lucrative government contract for an official event, which he failed to disclose. He escaped a prison sentence when a mistrial was ruled in his proceedings.
James Sullivan, a childhood friend of Lundergan, was later convicted of jury tampering in the trial.
It is perhaps no surprise that the Lundergan family have very close ties to former President Bill Clinton. Lundergan’s company even catered Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. Lundergan was also Kentucky Chair for Hillary’s campaign for President in 2008.
Democrats may have no other option than a neophyte scion of a political dynasty with a checkered heritage. Such is the state of politics in the Bluegrass State. If Grimes were to run, Clinton would no doubt make appearances on her behalf, but haven’t we reached the sell-by date on corrupt Southern political dynasties?
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