Frankfort — Trey Grayson may only be exploring a race for the U.S. Senate seat now held by his long-time friend Jim Bunning, but the impressive list of key Republicans who’ve agreed to serve on Grayson’s finance committee suggest he and they are serious.

“Trey Grayson has done a spectacular job as our Secretary of State,” said Thornton Oil CEO Matt Thornton, who is on the committee Grayson announced Thursday in a press release. “There’s no one who would do a better job as our next United States Senator. I’m thrilled to be on Trey’s team and will be working hard to help get him elected.”

Grayson is Kentucky’s Secretary of State, and he is seen as a rising star in his party – even by Bunning who encouraged Grayson to form an exploratory committee. Grayson has said he won’t run against Bunning, although he’s sometimes added “at this time” to his statements that he has no plans to do so.

But there are prominent Republican fundraising figures on Grayson’s list and names of people traditionally associated with raising money for Bunning. Such people as Frank Sommerkamp, Dennis Griffin, Paul Chellgren, and Bill Butler of northern Kentucky are on the list. So are people like Mira Ball of Lexington, Jim Skaggs of Bowling Green, state representatives Scott Brinkman of Louisville and Ken Upchurch of Monticello. There are prominent names from Republican strongholds in the Fifth District like Nelda Barton-Collings of Whitley County, former national committee woman Nelda Barton-Collings of Whitely County, Marian Davis of Laurel County, Becky Blevins of Bell County and Laurel County Clerk Dean Johnson.

“I’m sure there’s not going to be a primary,” Johnson said. “This is just for (Grayson’s) exploratory committee. I think if he gets enough money he’ll be the candidate and there won’t be a primary.”

Johnson wouldn’t speculate on Bunning’s plans, nor would Tommy Adams, an insurance executive in Bowling Green who is active in the party and close to Warren County Republican Judge/Executive Mike Buchanon.

“I think Trey would make an excellent candidate and an excellent senator,” Adams said. “That’s why I agreed to be on his committee. We’re going to need a very strong candidate in this (politically unfriendly) atmosphere to retain that seat.”

Like Johnson in Laurel County, Adams wouldn’t say he’d support Grayson over Bunning, commending Bunning for his voting record.

“Trey is my choice if and when Bunning drops out of the race,” Adams said. “But it’s my understanding Trey is not going to run if Jim Bunning stays in.”

Bunning continues to say he’s in the race but has left the door open if he doesn’t raise enough money to be competitive. He’s said repeatedly he’s only been outspent once in a political campaign – by Democrat Martha Layne Collins who defeated Bunning in the 1983 governor’s race – and has vowed it will never happen again. Many will be watching to see if Grayson out raises Bunning in the second quarter and what Bunning does if that happens.

Grayson said the names on the committee form “an impressive list of Kentuckians. It’s geographically diverse, and it’s representative of the solid base of support we’re finding for a run for U.S. Senate.”

Bowling Green ophthalmologist Rand Paul, the son of former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, has also formed an exploratory committee. Like Grayson, he’s said he doesn’t want to challenge Bunning, but he’s suggested Bunning’s agreement for Grayson to form an exploratory committee is an indication Bunning may have already decided not to run.

Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo – one of three Democrats running for the seat – said Grayson’s committee represents financially powerful people he’d expect from a Republican.

“I’m more impressed with the people who give me $5, $10,” Mongiardo said. “Those are the people who need someone in Washington to fight for them.”

Attorney General Jack Conway and Darlene Fitzgerald Price of McCreary County have also announced they’re running in the Democratic primary for Bunning’s seat.



Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com.