Next year's Senate race looms as a bruising, big-spending campaign. McGrath said Friday that her party's victory in the Kentucky governor's race has given momentum to her own bid to unseat a Republican incumbent.
In an interview with The Associated Press, McGrath touted her positions on health care and jobs. Those, "bread and butter," issues are the same ones that Andy Beshear highlighted in ousting GOP incumbent Matt Bevin in last month's election for governor.
McGrath says she plans to follow a similar strategy because, "with Mitch McConnell, we're not going to get any progress on these things."
Democrat Mike Broihier also filed for the Senate race Friday. He is a political newcomer with a broad resume as a Marine officer, farmer and small-town newspaperman.
Broihier also listed health care and the need for more good-paying jobs as key issues.
As the most powerful Republican in Congress, McConnell enters the race as a strong favorite in his pursuit of a seventh Senate term in 2020. The Republican senator touts his leadership position and his ability to deliver federal money for the Bluegrass State.
Earlier this week, McConnell said he had a direct hand in securing $400 million for a new veterans hospital in Louisville, $25 million to fight Asian carp in western Kentucky and coal miner pension and health benefits.
