Jim Gray, the Democratic mayor of Lexington, Kentucky who is challenging Sen. Rand Paul for his Senate seat, just released a new ad, calling for Democrats and Republicans in Washington D.C. to learn how to work together on behalf of “Good Ideas.”
In the ad, the Lexington Mayor tries to put some distance between himself and Washington D.C., claiming, “We need leaders that put our country ahead of party,” I’m a businessman – not a politician.”
Then, in an effort to appeal to Republicans, Gray says, “I don’t believe every Democratic idea is a good idea, or every Republican idea is a bad one. I’ll take good ideas from both sides and put Kentucky first.”
This degree of separation is a must for a Democratic candidate running in Kentucky. The once-blue state has bared the brunt of what Republicans call “President Obama’s War on Coal,” which closed coal mines statewide and put many out of work. So let’s just say, the President isn’t very popular in the Bluegrass State.
Gray is currently the clear frontrunner in the Kentucky primary, against six other Democratic candidates. If he wins his party’s nomination May 17, he is expected to go on to mount a serious challenge against Paul in the general election.
Jim Gray Takes A Cue From Rand Paul, Goes After ‘The Washington Machine’
Since Paul transitioned from running for the presidency to running for his Senate re-election, his rhetoric hasn’t change much – he is still focusing his attacks on President Obama, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats in the capitol. Gray follows a similar formula in this ad.In the ad, the Lexington Mayor tries to put some distance between himself and Washington D.C., claiming, “We need leaders that put our country ahead of party,” I’m a businessman – not a politician.”
Then, in an effort to appeal to Republicans, Gray says, “I don’t believe every Democratic idea is a good idea, or every Republican idea is a bad one. I’ll take good ideas from both sides and put Kentucky first.”
This degree of separation is a must for a Democratic candidate running in Kentucky. The once-blue state has bared the brunt of what Republicans call “President Obama’s War on Coal,” which closed coal mines statewide and put many out of work. So let’s just say, the President isn’t very popular in the Bluegrass State.
Big Money in the Bluegrass State
Last month, the Gray campaign reported that they had raised $750,000 in individual contributions. Add that to the $1 million personal donation Gray made to his own campaign, and that puts him on a level financial playing field with the Paul campaign. Unfortunately for Paul, some of his donors are already tapped, having supported the Senator’s now defunct presidential campaign.Gray is currently the clear frontrunner in the Kentucky primary, against six other Democratic candidates. If he wins his party’s nomination May 17, he is expected to go on to mount a serious challenge against Paul in the general election.