Former Rep. Northup Eyeing A Comeback Against Yarmuth

Former Republican congresswoman Anne Northup is strongly considering running again for her old seat in what would be a rematch against the Democrat who ousted her, Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)

The former congresswoman reconsidered getting into the race after Erwin Roberts, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, was called to active duty in the Army Reserves.

The former congresswoman will have to quickly make a decision, as the filing deadline to qualify for the ballot is January 29.

“Part of her motivation is out of a sense of obligation and a belief that the Republican party has a responsibility to field a serious candidate, a serious alternative to John Yarmuth,” said Ted Jackson, a campaign adviser and longtime friend. “And there is no one else.”

Jackson added that the National Republican Congressional Committee conducted a poll in the district this week, showing Northup within striking distance of Yarmuth in a head-to-head matchup. The poll showed Yarmuth with 49 percent of the vote, and Northup with 47 percent.

Northup was swept up in the Democratic Congressional wave in 2006, losing to Yarmuth by three points. Since leaving Congress, she ran unsuccessfully for the GOP gubernatorial nomination against Ernie Fletcher in 2007.

If she jumped in, she would enter the contest with high name identification and the ability to raise quick money for the campaign.

“She can file with no money in the bank, and she’s still immediately from day one a serious contender for the seat,” Jackson said.