McConnell Scores Strong Fourth-quarter Fundraising Haul

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) continues to be well-stocked financially as he prepares for his reelection bid, according to fourth-quarter fundraising numbers released by his campaign today.

McConnell announced he raised $1.7 million in the quarter, and has banked $7.3 million in his campaign account at the end of the year. His cash-on-hand figures are poised to be near the top of all senators facing serious reelection challenges.

Democrats have been eyeing McConnell as a prospective target in 2008, but one of their strongest potential recruits, state Auditor Crit Luallen, announced last month that she would not be running.

Former congressional candidate Andrew Horne has announced his candidacy, and self-funding businessmen Greg Fischer and Bruce Lunsford are also considering entering the race.

To qualify for the ballot, Democrats need to file their paperwork by the end of the month (Jan. 29).

The Bluegrass State has been reliably Republican in recent years, giving President Bush 60 percent of the vote in 2004, but Democrats took over the governorship last November amid ethical scandals surrounding Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

The McConnell campaign’s recent internal polling shows the senator with a healthy 56 percent reelect total, but several other public polls show the number a bit lower. An October poll, conducted for the Lexington Herald-Leader, showed only 45 percent of Kentucky voters approving of McConnell’s job performance.

McConnell, recognizing the possibility of a competitive campaign, has already been up on television with two campaign advertisements touting his accomplishments for the state.