Perhaps it’s retribution or maybe just that she’s following the letter of the law, but Alison Lundergan Grimes’ is bringing the hammer of Kentucky state government down on Sen. Rand Paul.
As we reported in recent weeks, Paul’s intention to run for the White House is almost a certainty. But his greatest challenge comes from an obscure state regulation that bars him from appearing on the ballot twice.
Given his plan to run for reelection to the U.S. Senate, the law poses obvious hurdles to his presidential aspirations. And among the various options for circumventing the law, directly challenging Secretary of State Alison Grimes is one.
But according to a declaration this week by Grimes, she’ll have none of it. Explaining her hardline stance Grimes detailed, “You can’t be on the ballot twice for two offices. We’ll look to the court for any guidance that is needed. At the end of the day, we’re not going to be bullied.”
After having lost her bid against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, whether Grimes will run for reelection as Secretary of State in 2015 remains to be seen. But the opportunity has Republicans salivating as the prospect of ending her political career altogether in hopes a Republican Secretary would give Paul a pass.
Among the many options for Grimes however is to directly challenge Paul for his Senate seat in 2016, an election cycle that will be much more favorable for Democrats. Or she may run for Kentucky governor. Whatever she decides in the coming months will have a direct impact on the national scene and Rand Paul’s future.
