How Ashley Judd could beat Mitch McConnell in 2014

Kentucky and national Democrats say Judd has decided to throw her hat in the ring. Here, three things she should keep in mind

Ashley Judd can use her Hollywood connections to raise money, but she'll have to keep her glamorous career at a distance.
(Image credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

It's semi-official, says Howard Fineman at The Huffington Post: "Ashley Judd, the 44-year-old actress and social activist, has told key advisers and political figures that she is planning to announce her candidacy for U.S. Senate here this spring," around the time of the Kentucky Derby. Judd "offered a not-quite-ironclad denial," but Republicans are already running against her, and assuming these sources are right, Kentucky's 2014 Senate race is about to get unusually interesting.

First, Judd would have to get the Democratic nomination, says Fineman, but that's easier than it sounds: Most Bluegrass State Democrats are focusing on the upcoming gubernatorial race, and few have the desire or cash to face "the methodically accusatory machine of the five-term Republican senator — and Senate minority leader — Mitch McConnell." Judd, on the other hand, can pretty easily raise millions for a race, and the "fearless" actress "would not necessarily lose a bar fight if she got into one, which she is about to do."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.