Sources close to Judd say she’s seriously contemplating a bid to take on Republican Mitch McConnell for a Kentucky seat. McConnell’s campaign manager promises anyone that gets into political ring will get nose bloodied.
Ashley Judd may be pursuing a new role: U.S. Senator.
The Hollywood actress is seriously considering running against the top Senate Republican, Mitch McConnell for a seat representing her native Kentucky, Politico reported, citing four people familiar with the matter.
In recent weeks, the Democrat has discussed a potential 2014 campaign with New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and a Democratic pollster. She is also conducting opposition research on herself to gauge her weaknesses.
“She is doing all the things that a serious candidate exploring a race should do,” Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth told Politico after speaking with her. “I think there are a lot of people, and I was one of them, who wanted to let her know that her candidacy would be an exciting prospect for us.”
Without commenting directly on Judd, McConnell’s campaign manager, Jesse Benton, warned the political news site that the Kentucky Republican will not go easy on whoever runs for his seat.
“It’s going to sting,” Benton said. “We’re going to make sure that you don’t come out with your nose clean. We’re going to drive your negatives up and very aggressively and publicly litigate your record before the citizens of Kentucky.”
As a less daunting alternative, Judd is also considering a 2016 bid against freshman Sen. Rand Paul instead, sources told Politico.
When asked about her political plans, the actress has previously said she is “honored” by suggestions that she run for office. Politico said a Judd spokeswoman declined to comment on the latest reports of her possible bid
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Judd, star of “Double Jeopardy” and “Kiss the Girls,” attended the Democratic National Convention in September as a delegate from Tennessee, where she now lives with her husband, three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti. She has been an outspoken advocate for abortion rights and environmental causes.
The eighth-generation Kentuckian graduated from the University of Kentucky and has a master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Judd, 44, would join Minnesota Sen. Al Franken as another Hollywood transplant on Capitol Hill.
Franken, the Saturday Night Live alum and star of “Stuart Saves His Family,” was sworn into his U.S. Senate seat in 2009.
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