Conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings is being privately and publicly inspired to run for Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell’s open Senate seat in 2026, sources, together with a Republican operative acquainted with the race, advised Fox Information Digital Wednesday.
Some conservative personalities floated the likelihood publicly on X. The pundit is thought for his advocacy of the Trump administration on the airwaves, and he usually goes viral for debating liberal pundits on the cable tv community.
He served as a longtime advisor to the outgoing Kentucky senator and beforehand labored within the George W. Bush administration.
“Might I nominate [Scott Jennings] for america Senate from the Commonwealth of Kentucky? He’d be a hell of a McConnell alternative,” pundit Erick Erickson tweeted.
“I might completely help my pal [Scott Jennings] for U.S. Senate. However he’d additionally make a effective governor for the good state of Kentucky as properly,” Republican strategist Dustin Grage tweeted.
As for McConnell, the previous Senate majority chief stated final week he wouldn’t search one other time period, leaving the door large open for contenders in 2026.
“Seven occasions, my fellow Kentuckians have despatched me to the Senate,” McConnell, who first took workplace in 1985, stated on the Senate ground whereas saying his retirement.
“On daily basis in between, I’ve been humbled by the belief they’ve positioned in me to do their enterprise right here. Representing our commonwealth has been the dignity of a lifetime. I can’t search this honor an eighth time. My present time period within the Senate will probably be my final,” he added.
Former Kentucky Lawyer Common Daniel Cameron has already entered the race, and Rep. Andy Barr can also be mulling a bid. Cameron ran for governor in 2023, however he narrowly misplaced to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
In a latest marketing campaign video, Cameron talked about McConnell by identify for voting in opposition to the nominations of Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
“It’s best to count on a senator from Kentucky to vote for these nominees to advance the ‘America first’ agenda,” Cameron stated.
Neither Trump nor McConnell have introduced an endorsement within the race.
Fox Information Digital reached out to Jennings however didn’t obtain remark.
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