Democrats facing tough odds in Kentucky Senate race

BRUCE SCHREINER
Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky Democrats are looking to rebound from two straight lopsided defeats, but they face another daunting task, and that is toppling incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul.

Jim Gray, the soft-spoken mayor of Lexington, approaches the state’s May 17 primary with advantages over lesser-known Democrats vying for the Senate nomination. Gray draws upon a political base in Kentucky’s second-largest city and a campaign bolstered by his personal wealth. Gray helped build his family’s construction company into a global enterprise.

Democrats suffered deflating losses when Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell trounced Alison Lundergan Grimes in 2014 and Republican Matt Bevin upset Jack Conway in last year’s race for governor.

Paul faces two little-known challengers in the GOP primary.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.