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Facing many hurdles, retired Marine Reservist challenges McConnell By BOB WHITE
 ELIZABETHTOWN — A retired soldier from Louisville hoping to unseat longtime U.S. Sen. and Congressional Republican leader Mitch McConnell was in Elizabethtown on Monday, visiting The News-Enterprise en route to campaign stops throughout the state.
Andrew Horne, a retired Marine Reservist officer and Louisville attorney, has been described by bloggers, print media and Kentucky political insiders as a true challenger to McConnell, who has spent the past 23 years representing Kentucky on Capitol Hill.
Horne says the time for change in that Kentucky representation is here, claiming McConnell has become part of the federal problems of a misguided war, an enormous deficit and a forgotten constituency. “I have no illusions. This will be a tough race,” Horne said. “McConnell is starting with $7 million in the bank.”
Issues aside, fundraising is the hurdle Horne must first overcome, but he won’t be deterred even if he can’t compete 1-to-1 financially with McConnell.
“Democrats are traditionally less-funded than Republicans,” Horne said.
Even when outspent 3-to-1, Democrats, because of strong grassroot efforts, can beat even the most well-known Republican, Horne said. The two-war veteran said the ever-growing war debt and misguided efforts in Iraq are crippling America and eating at the country’s morale.
While in Iraq, Horne’s command assisted in nation building missions, such as the development of local governments and restoration and creation of vital infrastructure to communities there.
He said because of those types of efforts, the average Iraqi hates insurgents and terrorists more than American forces there. But he warns that could change in the future.
“It’s like fish that’s been sitting in the market. There longer it sits, the more it begins to stink,” Horne said.
Looking out for the interests of his constituents, such as health care, national security and debt are what Horne says will be his main priorities if elected.
He claims McConnell has put more effort into working with Chinese businesses than representing Kentuckians.
Before going up against McConnell, Horne will have to defeat other Democratic challengers for the chance to become Kentucky’s next U.S. Senator.
According to Secretary of State Trey Grayson’s office, David L. Williams of Glasgow and Michael Cassaro of Prospect, also have filed their candidacies for the office.
McConnell formally filed Monday.
For more information on Horne’s candidacy, log on to http://andrewhorne.org.
Bob White can be reached at 505-1750, or
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