Ashley Judd taking a "close look" at Senate bid

Ashley Judd, who may run for Senate, is seen here addressing the crowd during a Tennesseans For Obama Benefit on Oct. 4, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. / Getty

Ashley Judd is "taking a close look" at mounting a Senate bid against Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the actress and activist said over the weekend.

"The people of Kentucky need a fighter," Judd said Saturday, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. "And certainly going back 10 generations, I've got some fighters from those hills in my family."

Judd was in Washington over the inaugural weekend and was honored at the Kentucky Society's Bluegrass Ball on Saturday for her humanitarian work. Judd, who appeared in movies like "Kiss the Girls" and "Where the Heart Is," has been active in campaigns against violence against women and campaigns to prevent diseases such as malaria. Courier-Journal columnist James Bruggers also notes she's outspoken in her opposition to mountaintop removal mining, setting her apart from most other Kentucky politicians who are allied with the state's mining industry.

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McConnell has served in the Senate since 1985, making him the longest-serving senator in the state's history. He's up for re-election in 2014 and has faced pressure from the right to keep pushing for spending cuts during fiscal negotiations with the president. He also told supporters recently he will fight "tooth and nail" to protect gun owners from President Obama's gun control agenda.

Judd told the Courier-Journal she is "overwhelmed" that Kentucky residents are interested in seeing her run, calling it "the greatest honor of my life so far." She added, however, that she had "no time frame" for making her decision.

[batgram]

Ashley Judd is a native Kentuckian who could represent our state in ways that McConnell never has - with integrity and strength of character. What she may lack in experience, she more than makes up for in intelligence and principled beliefs. Moreover, she would likely champion the causes of her constituents over those of the monied interests who own McConnell and so many of his fellow republicans. Please God, let her run!

[batgram]

Ashley Judd is a native Kentuckian who could represent our state in ways that McConnell never has - with integrity and strength of character. What she may lack in experience, she more than makes up for in intelligence and principled beliefs. Moreover, she would likely champion the causes of her constituents over those of the monied interests who own McConnell and so many of his fellow republicans. Please God, let her run!

[bluejacket2-2009]

McConnell has GOP clout... even though he is out of touch with most of America and is rarely in Kentucky he will have the full force of the GOP behind him... he will trash Ashley every way he can, the only real problem is her anti strip mining stance. If elected she would work for the state of Kentucky not an ivory office in Washington as McConnell does.

If Kentucky can elect a bluegrass Democrat Governor they can elect Ashley Judd.. if so Ashland KY and surronding hills will be famous..

[stevehamilton858]

Wasn't it Andy Warhol that said everyone gets 15 minutes of fame? Mitch's 15 minutes have long been up.

[boatdocster]

Judd winning would be the best thing for Kentucky.

***** McConnell should have been canned years ago. Mr. "One Term President" indeed. He's too dense to see that Obama has beaten him on everything.

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

Hottie, Brainiac.

I dont think she would fit in to the spray tan congressionaltards.

[TNwoman2013]

Excuse me? Are you kidding me? Obviously you are totally unaware of Ms. Judd's contribution to our society & for women, specifically! She lobby's & travels all over the world to fight world hunger & the sex trade industry, traveling to places none of us would step into - filthy brothels in Africa that would make your stomachs turn. She contributes, gives, volunteers her time AND money to the WHO (World Health Organization)! That SPRAY TAN is from working in her yard & on her WORKING farm here in the beautiful hills of TN & I will vote for her AND volunteer my time & efforts to get this woman in office. Not only is she a great actress & I would hate to see her leave. The film industry, but a caring & gentle human being who also is an animal lover & a Christian. HIGH 5 Ashley Judd!!! Now, go educate yourself & read her book!!

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

You took me wrong.

My point but poorly stated was she is too good for congress.

[notdatkindacoke]

This country really is turning into Argentina. With the Peronites wearing blue.

[BENJORDON-]

McConnell is a treasonous deadbeat.


.

[Derbyangel28]

It would be interesting to see her run for a Senate seat from Kentucky since she has lived in Tennessee for many years. Well, that didn't stop Hillary did it?

[tsigili]

Let the people of Kentucky, send you back to Hollywood......with the rest of socialists.