Lexington Mayor Jim Gray running against U.S. Sen. Rand Paul

[jct74]

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray running against U.S. Sen. Rand Paul

BY SAM YOUNGMAN
JANUARY 26, 2016 9:59 AM

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray filed to run for the U.S. Senate Tuesday morning as a Democrat, declaring his candidacy to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul on the day of Kentucky’s filing deadline.

Gray, 62, told the Herald-Leader Monday night that he decided to challenge Paul last week, and he “absolutely” believes he can win despite the state’s rightward lurch and widespread disapproval of President Barack Obama.

“I feel like that there’s an environment in Washington that’s toxic, and people across the country, and including Kentucky, are looking for alternatives,” Gray said.

The chairman of Gray Construction, a successful family business, Gray is in his second term as mayor. He said both experiences have taught him “that leading isn’t just about talking — you’ve got to listen as well.”

Gray’s entry into the race makes him the most prominent Democrat to come forward to challenge Paul, whose listing presidential campaign has made him vulnerable to defeat, Gray said.

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read more:
http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article56605288.html

 

[Brett85]

Unfortunately this could make it more likely that Rand will drop out of the Presidential race sooner than he wants to. I was hoping he wouldn't have a Senate opponent.

 

[Jeremy]

Good luck.

 

[CPUd]

Unfortunately this could make it more likely that Rand will drop out of the Presidential race sooner than he wants to. I was hoping he wouldn't have a Senate opponent.

Rand has said he expected them to run someone. If this is all they could come up with, he might as well be running unopposed.

 

[specsaregood]

Unfortunately this could make it more likely that Rand will drop out of the Presidential race sooner than he wants to. I was hoping he wouldn't have a Senate opponent.

I'm sure KY is ready to elect an openly Gay man as their Senator.

 

[Brett85]

Rand has said he expected them to run someone. If this is all they could come up with, he might as well be running unopposed.

What would happen if Rand were to somehow win the GOP nomination? Kentucky law is still that you can't be on the ballot in more than one race. I don't see how he gets around that in the general election if he ends up being the GOP nominee.

 

[Brett85]

I'm sure KY is ready to elect an openly Gay man as their Senator.

They could if Rand couldn't even be on the ballot in the Senate race.

 

[CPUd]

What would happen if Rand were to somehow win the GOP nomination? Kentucky law is still that you can't be on the ballot in more than one race. I don't see how he gets around that in the general election if he ends up being the GOP nominee.

We gonna cross that bridge when we get there.

 

[Joeinmo]

Token run...more to try to get Rand to drop out, but he won't -- in for the long haul, but if I was a Rand supporter in Kentucky I would file and run as a democrat as well, to split the vote among Democrats.

 

[randbot16]

What would happen if Rand were to somehow win the GOP nomination? Kentucky law is still that you can't be on the ballot in more than one race. I don't see how he gets around that in the general election if he ends up being the GOP nominee.

Put Rand against ANY candidate in the general and he will win. Imagine the debates. Hillary or Bernie would be completely toast. If for some reason he didn't win the general and couldn't be in the Senate, well, the guy deserves some time off after what he's been through the last few years, IMO.

 

[Brett85]

We gonna cross that bridge when we get there.

But if Rand were to gain traction in the Presidential race, that would be an attack that would be used against him. The other candidates could say that Rand winning the GOP nomination means that the GOP will lose the Kentucky Senate seat since he couldn't be on the ballot in that race.

 

[Joeinmo]

Well not Really, same for Cruz or Rubio, in addition if he drops out because he is winning the nomination then the Kentucky GOP can name another candidate to replace him, like Kelley Paul.

 

[Brett85]

Well not Really, same for Cruz or Rubio

Cruz is up for reelection to the Senate in 2018 and won't have a Senate race this cycle. Rubio is resigning from his Senate seat and will be out of the Senate if he doesn't win the GOP nomination.

 

[derek4ever]

I say... BRING IT F-ING ON!!

 

[derek4ever]

Cruz is up for reelection to the Senate in 2018 and won't have a Senate race this cycle. Rubio is resigning from his Senate seat and will be out of the Senate if he doesn't win the GOP nomination.

Speaking of which. I may be projecting here but do we know if Ron's other son, I believe his name is Ron Paul Jr., has any interest in challenging Cruise?

 

[Brett85]

Well not Really, same for Cruz or Rubio, in addition if he drops out because he is winning the nomination then the Kentucky GOP can name another candidate to replace him, like Kelley Paul.

According to Kentucky law, the GOP couldn't name another candidate to replace him if he were to drop out. It would just mean that the Democratic candidate would be running unopposed.

 

[Joeinmo]

What would happen if Rand were to somehow win the GOP nomination? Kentucky law is still that you can't be on the ballot in more than one race. I don't see how he gets around that in the general election if he ends up being the GOP nominee.

Well the Kentucky GOP will name a replacement for Rand if he wins the Presidential nomination, and I am thinking Rand would ask that Kelley Paul be his replacement to go up against the Democrat.

 

[derek4ever]

Token run...more to try to get Rand to drop out, but he won't -- in for the long haul, but if I was a Rand supporter in Kentucky I would file and run as a democrat as well, to split the vote among Democrats.

Create a liberty wing in the Democratic party? I'd support it! We need to spread our message and go Neocon on the 2 parties. Imagine a Ron Paul Democrat vs a Ron Paul Republican race!!

 

[65fastback2+2]

According to Kentucky law, the GOP couldn't name another candidate to replace him if he were to drop out. It would just mean that the Democratic candidate would be running unopposed.

I'll take that risk

 

[Brett85]

I'll take that risk

It will be a huge issue and will be used against Rand if he gains traction in the GOP Presidential race. I wish that Rand and/or his advisers would've explained what their plan is in the event that Rand becomes the GOP nominee.