The result from months of speculation? Google results.
After serious and thorough contemplation, I realize that my responsibilities & energy at this time need to be focused on my family.
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) March 27, 2013
Regretfully, I am currently unable to consider a campaign for the Senate.I have spoken to so many Kentuckians over these last few months ~
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) March 27, 2013
Judd later posted a full entry on her personal site thanking her supporters.
Which means weeks and weeks of entertainment correspondents and political reporters dreams of a Judd v. McConnell race are up in smoke. Politico profiles a potential reason why the Mississippi-based actress may have dropped out: Mitch McConnell is out for blood. Comes the excerpt from this morning’s Playbook:
“He’s already on the air with nearly $200,000 in TV and radio ads, is assembling streams of data to target voters with tailor-made messages, and has quietly moved to lock down support from virtually every state GOP legislator. He says he’ll use ‘every penny’ of a war chest certain to exceed the $21 million he spent in 2008.”
Even if the 71-year old, four-time incumbent is set on keeping his seat there are still those that won’t let the potential for bon mots go. ABC News’ The Note goes with “Kentucky Dirby” in the headline while profiling the only other possible high-profile candidate: Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. The secretary was reportedly “wooed” by former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run for office. And would she? With Clinton-backing and every Kentucky Democrat desperate for a seat after 28 years? Of course they would.
Except now “Kentucky Derby” is probably the most creative we’ll ever get when trying to drum up interest. So far it looks like the closest Judd will get to being on Capitol Hill will be in her Olympus Has Fallen cameo.