Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is one of the almost two dozen Senate Republicans who are up for re-election this year, and now, the Lexington Herald-Leader — which is one of the largest newspapers in McConnell’s home state of Kentucky — has endorsed McConnell’s Democratic challenger, Amy McGrath. The paper characterizes McConnell as a power-hungry failure for the people of Kentucky, who McConnell has left behind to struggle while he pursues his political power agenda in D.C. Case in point: Senate Republicans are rushing the confirmation of Trump Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett, while failing to secure any further systematic Coronavirus-connected economic relief.
The Herald-Leader wrote:
‘During his 36 years in office, McConnell has made it perfectly clear that his only passion is the pursuit of power, his own and that of the Republican Party. For that reason alone, we would endorse his opponent. Luckily for voters, McGrath, a former fighter pilot and public servant, would make an excellent senator who would actually put the needs and interests of Kentuckians above her own.’
Examples of McGrath’s support for the true interests of Kentucky residents include her commitment to securing healthcare and education improvements. She also supports measures like paid family leave, in order to provide struggling workers with the opportunity to effectively care for their families. Lower-income workers have frequently borne the brunt of the economic chaos associated with the Coronavirus pandemic. In a recent Pew survey, a full 46 percent of lower-income respondents said that they have had “trouble paying bills” during the pandemic. Among middle- and upper-income respondents, only 19 and 5 percent, respectively, said the same.
The Lexington paper insisted:
‘Mitch McConnell has had 36 years to make life better for his fellow Kentuckians, and instead, we are still among the sickest, the hungriest and the least educated. We can do better, and all it will take is a vote for Amy McGrath. We all deserve better, and so does our fragile democracy.’
McConnell tends to lead McGrath in polling — in a recent Morning Consult survey, he led by 15 percent. Some of his Republican colleagues aren’t so lucky. As of Saturday afternoon, the Cook Political Report estimates that nine currently GOP-held seats are either toss-ups or leaning towards the Democrats.
