Kentucky Senate Election: Hillary Clinton Campaigns for Alison Lundergan Grimes Amid Setback from Democrats
The Alison Lundergan Grimes campaign is hoping to bank on Hillary Clinton's name after the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) withdrew its advertisements from the state.
Former Secretary of State Clinton campaigned for Grimes in Louisville on Wednesday and commented on Grimes' jobs plan and Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell's stance on issues including health care. Clinton spoke about McConnell's statement on repealing the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, but supports the state keeping its health care website.
"You cannot have it both ways. It's simple math. If you repeal the federal law, there is no more federal money for subsidies for Kentucky families," Clinton said with stating McConnell's name. "There is no more money for Medicaid expansion, and think about ... the 48,000 young people in Kentucky who will be thrown off their parents' insurance plans."
Grimes' campaign manager Jonathan Hurst said Clinton's visit on Wednesday would "propel the immense amount of excitement and energy that surrounds Alison's campaign and help translate this strong enthusiasm into votes come Election Day."
After the campaign event, the Grimes campaign reported more than 21,000 people participated in the rally, specifically, 4,500 supporters physically attended the event while 17,000 watched via a webcast.
Clinton's support comes as the DSCC stopped running advertisements in the Kentucky after spending $2 million against McConnell. The DSCC's advertisements withdrawal has been considered a setback for the Grimes campaign and just one day after the senatorial candidates had their first and only debate. The Grimes' campaign continues to air its own advertisements against McConnell. The Grimes campaign has managed to surpass McConnell's campaign in terms of fundraising by nearly $1.7 million during the second fundraising quarter.
"On a level playing field, there's no doubt that Alison will defeat Mitch McConnell," Grimes' campaign noted. "Our financial position, coupled with our strong grassroots infrastructure and turn-out operation, places Alison on a clear path to victory with 20 days left."
According to The Courier-Journal, McConnell's campaign raised more than $28 million.
DSCC Executive Director Guy Cecil, however, dismissed claims the committee abandoned Grimes. Cecil tweeted he signed a $300,000 wire for a voter registration campaign for Grimes' campaign.
"That's an interesting view of 'pulling out of the race,'" Cecil said.
The latest Courier-Journal and Survey USA poll showed Grimes with a 2-percentage point advantage. The Democratic challenger received 46 percent to the Republican incumbent's 44 percent.
Hurst said the latest polling data "reflects the overwhelming grassroots enthusiasm Alison and our campaign see everyday across the commonwealth."
Meanwhile, McConnell campaign spokeswoman Allison Moore said in a statement, "After fourteen straight public polls all showing Sen. McConnell with a clear lead, this Bluegrass Poll is obviously an outlier. We're very comfortable with where this race stands and are confident Sen. McConnell will be re-elected in November."