U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell held a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Tompkinsville, last week in Louisville.
The fundraiser, held at RunSwitch PR on Louisville’s east-side, included an appearance from at least one potential candidate for Governor in former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft, and McConnell acolyte state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, R-Kentucky.
RunSwitch is a public relations firm co-founded by Scott Jennings, an op-ed columnist for the Courier-Journal, and contributor to CNN. Jennings is close to McConnell, helping Kentucky’s senior senator in his re-election races in 2002, 2008, and 2014. He also advises U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, and has been helping Ambassador Craft behind the scenes.
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, R-Kentucky, who is considering a run for governor was not at the event, his social media accounts show he attended a legislative appreciation dinner in Nancy, Kentucky, with Reps. David Meade, Josh Branscum, and Sen. Rick Girdler.
The fundraiser is interesting for viewers of Kentucky politics, it ensures or at least pushes U.S. Rep. Comer to run for re-election to Congress with the backing of the Nation’s most-powerful Republican. Comer has elevated himself to a major player in the House of Representatives as the ranking member of the House Overisght and Reform Committee – placing him in line to chair the committee if Republicans take control of the House.
Comer seeking re-election in 2022 also partially clears what is expected to be a crowded GOP gubernatorial primary field in 2023.
