U.S. Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky says he doesn't know how much money will be in his campaign war chest when the first quarter reporting period for election finances ends March 31.The Republican has repeatedly said over the past few months he plans to seek re-election in 2010, despite having relatively little campaign cash. attributed the lack of funds to the fact he avoided fundraising last year to help fellow GOP candidates on the November ballot.Bunning told reporters during his weekly conference call today that he'll have a better assessment of his fundraising efforts in July. He said he's not getting any help from fellow Republican Senator Mitch McConnell."My senior senator also sent out his first mailing for 2014, just as I refrained from doing it for two years, he sent out his, so you know where he stands," Bunning said.Bunning also said that McConnell is recruiting Kentucky Senate President David Williams to run against him in the GOP primary next year.McConnell has declined since early this year to comment publicly on the 2010 Senate race.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.