McConnell Prepping for Ashley Judd Senate Run

With the rise of celebrity-politicians like Senator Al Franken (D-MN) and Benjamin Géza Affleck, who may run for Senate from Massachusetts, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is taking seriously rumors that actress Ashley Judd may run against him. He’s doing internal polls to see where she runs – and she’s running just four points behind McConnell.

But McConnell is prepared for Judd. He has already put together an opposition file on her, compiling her more radical positions and statements. And once Kentucky voters hear her views, McConnell’s polls show, his lead jumps to 20 points. McConnell’s longtime pollster, Jan R. van Lohuizen, told Politico, “”Considering the fact that Judd begins with such strong name ID, the informed voter swing is devastating for her, and the 16-point swing is one of the biggest I have seen in my career. Given the ability to move the ballot so substantially by pointing out only a few of her positions, her candidacy does not appear viable.”

Ashley Judd has already hired a spokesperson to fight back. Cara Tripicchio said, “Ashley has yet to decide about running for the United States Senate. She is honored by the incredible encouragement from her fellow Kentuckians and the national interest, including Senator McConnell.” Judd has already talked about running for the Senate with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). She has not yet spoken with Senate Democratic leadership.

Judd lives largely in Tennessee and Scotland. She has said that the “era of the coal plant is over.” President Obama got blown out in Kentucky this year by Mitt Romney.