Former Marine pilot wins Dem primary for competitive Kentucky House race

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/388814-former-marine-pilot-wins-dem-primary-for-competitive-kentucky-house-race

Former Marine pilot wins Dem primary for competitive Kentucky House race
By Ben Kamisar - 05/22/18 08:08 PM EDT


Former Marine pilot wins Dem primary for competitive Kentucky House race
Amy McGrath is the projected winner of Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District Democratic primary, a victory for the former Marine pilot that clears her path to run in the state’s only competitive general election.

The Associated Press called the race at around 8:05 p.m. EST.

McGrath appears to have bested Lexington Mayor Jim Gray in what would have been called an upset months ago. Many saw Gray, an experienced and popular politician from the district’s largest city, as the heavy favorite when he jumped in last year.

But the race tightened down the stretch as McGrath leaned on her personal story and her national donor base, as well as an emphasis on the rural counties not as familiar with Gray’s record.

McGrath burst onto the political scene last summer with a viral announcement video that told her story about becoming the first female Marine to fly an F/A-18 in combat. The video was passed around among top Democrats and played on the news, winning McGrath publicity and expanding her donor base.

The first time candidate began raking in cash as many saw her as the clear favorite to take on Rep. Andy Barr (R). Democrats have been cautiously optimistic about the chances of taking on Barr, who Democrats believe is vulnerable specifically on the issue of health care.

But Gray shook up the race when he announced in December. In doing so, he delighted top Democrats, including those at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, who saw Gray as a top-flight candidate who would be sure to make the district competitive.


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[WhiteTara]

1. Damn these uppity women. Men at the top of DCCC

liked the other man, but the people like the woman. I wonder if they will support her or ignore her and let the race slide.

[get the red out]

2. Great candidate

Col. McGrath is the best Dem candidate I have seen here in KY in quite a while, The DCCC can either get on the McGrath train or get run over by it, their choice. I think Andy Barr is toast.

[yagotme]

3. Ooh-rah.

'Nuff said.

[Kingofalldems]

4. ....Great ad here:

[flygal]

5. Awesome! she has been working her ass off!

[eleny]

6. I love her!

She's the "We'll see about that" candidate. And we'll be sending her $upport real soon!

Kick some ass, Amy!