In a surprise turn, actress and political activist Ashley Judd is not running for a Senate seat. She made the announcement on her official website and through Twitter. You can read the tweets she sent on the subject below.
Had she run, she would’ve squared off against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and he wasn’t thrilled about it — even a poll from his own campaign said that she’d be quite the opposition. McConnell’s new foe, who many believe could be an even bigger threat than Judd, is Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.
Judd, who most recently acted with Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman in Olympus Has Fallen as First Lady Margaret Asher, said that she believes that she should spend more time focusing on her family instead of competing for a Senate seat.
Dear Friends, Thank you for these months of remarkable support & encouragement, for your voices, exhortations, & prayers. I have decided.
After serious and thorough contemplation, I realize that my responsibilities & energy at this time need to be focused on my family.
Regretfully, I am currently unable to consider a campaign for the Senate. I have spoken to so many Kentuckians over these last few months ~
~ who expressed their desire for a fighter for the people & new leader. While that won’t be me at this time, I will continue to work as ~
as hard as I can to ensure the needs of Kentucky families are met by returning this Senate seat to whom it rightfully belongs: the people &
their needs, dreams, and great potential. Thanks for even considering me as that person & know how much I love our Commonwealth. Thank you!