What should outgoing Republican U.S. Senator Jim Bunning do with nearly $600k he has in his campaign account?  His announcement that he’ll not seek another term in the U.S. Senate creates a number of questions.  The first of course is, will Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson have a clear shot at the General Election, or will he have to deal with his own Paul issue – that’s Ron Paul’s son, Rand Paul?  The Paulistas – Ron Paul’s followers – are getting fired up over this one already – trying to get their supporters across the nation to start stacking online polls as a show of strength for Rand in Kentucky – who at this point hasn’t even declared his intentions.  Still mulling it over.

The second issue is about the almost $600k in Bunning’s campaign account.  That’s a lot of green in Kentucky, and it could go a long way towards helping Republicans not only in the U.S. Senate race (giving it to the party and or the eventual nominee), but also state offices there in Kentucky – like the State House of Representatives where Republicans are trailing badly, or the State Senate where Republicans have a decent numerical lead, but could face a tough 2010 with retirements, or additional problems created by a Democrat Governor bent on gaining control of the Senate in time for the 2011 redistricting effort.  What sort of problems?  Well this Governor is willing to appoint Republicans to positions that take them out of the Senate and create openings for Democrats to challenge in special elections.

The vacancy situation is already in play with Republican State Senator Charlie Borders having resigned his post to accept an appointment from Democrat Governor Steve Beshear to the Public Service Commission.  As a result, a special election has been called to fill the seat on August 25th.  And while Republican nominee Dr. Jack Ditty has an early lead in the contest on the fundraising side of things, every little bit counts – especially in a low turnout affair like a special election and Senator Bunning, with his $600k, can be the kingmaker.

If the Democrat strategy of picking off Republican held seats through appointment, then winning a special election succeeds – things in Kentucky could get ugly real fast for Republicans in Kentucky.  But, if they can be held off in this special – Democrats will likely think twice about engaging in further shenanigans.  That’s where Bunning’s money comes in.  He can contribute to the Ditty campaign, he can contribute to the state, county, and local party organizations and come out as the man who saved Kentucky from the political games Democrats have been playing.  And if they try it again in another district – he can whip out his check book and do it again himself.

With $600,000 at his disposal – Jim Bunning is a formidable force in Kentucky politics.  You know Democrats are worried.

Tags: jim bunning, kentucky, rand paul, special election, steve beshear, trey grayson