McConnell finally gets challenger

After months of being targeted by national Democrats and liberal groups, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) finally has an opponent.

Retired Marine Lt. Col. Andrew Horne, an Iraq veteran who fell to now-Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) 54-32 in a primary last year, announced Thursday on his website that he will run against the four-term senator.

{mosads}“Sen. Mitch McConnell is more than part of the problem; he is the problem,” Horne says in a Web video. “It’s time for Kentuckians to take our country and our government back.”

State Democrats are bullish about the race after Democrat Steve Beshear unseated incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) in November by a wide margin, but they have been unable to lure top recruits into challenging McConnell.

State Auditor Crit Luallen, who had been built up as a potential candidate by state and national Democrats, recently turned aside her party’s entreaties, as has Rep. Ben Chandler (D-Ky.).

Others could still enter the Democratic race. Attorney General Greg Stumbo (D) has an exploratory committee and is reportedly still weighing his options, and wealthy businessmen Bruce Lunsford and Charlie Owen are both considered possible Democratic candidates as well.

Democrats will attempt to label McConnell an obstructionist for his work to block various pieces of their legislation.

McConnell told The Hill on Wednesday that the label wouldn’t stick.

“I’ve been able to accomplish a lot for my state,” McConnell said. “I’m perfectly happy to defend my record to the people of my state, who have elected me to the Senate four times, and I’m optimistic they’ll do it a fifth time.”