LOUISVILLE, Ky (WHAS11) -- With little if any public enthusiasm from potential candidates to challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's bid for a sixth term, a new liberal super-pac is asking Kentuckians to help them draft candidates.
“Mitch McConnell, the most unpopular Senator in the country must be challenged by someone that can bring about a brighter future for our state," said Shawn Reilly, Executive Director of Progress Kentucky.
“It’s unacceptable that someone as unpopular as McConnell would be unopposed for a sixth term.”
The organization's website lists 22 potential challengers for voters to petition to encourage them to run.
"Progress Kentucky will launch new petitions to gauge support as candidates float trial balloons or as intriguing potential candidates surface in the media," the news release explained.
Among potential Democrat candidates named are actress Ashley Judd, Congressman John Yarmuth, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and attorney Andrew Horne.
Tea Party Republicans being asked to mount a primary challenge include businessman Phil Moffett, Congressman Thomas Massie and Louisville Tea Party co-founder Larry Hausman.
Dea Riley, who ran as an Independent for Lieutenant Governor with the late Gatewood Galbraith, is also named.
As of Wednesday morning, Judd was the only potential candidate to draw a response, with 12 people signing on to her petition.
The Progress Kentucky group has been actively protesting McConnell in recent weeks, accusing him of obstructionism and motivated by campaign contributions.
McConnell's office has found the group's timing curious after the veteran legislator brokered a "fiscal cliff" deal with Vice-President Joe Biden.
