(LEX 18) — With more than one million votes already cast in Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Amy McGrath are spending the final days of their respective campaigns trying to reach undecided voters.
Fresh off the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett earlier this week, McConnell spoke in front of a crowd of supporters Thursday at a campaign stop in Madison County.
He touted his work ushering through a high number of conservative judges, calling it the "single most long-lasting contribution this Senate Republican majority and this president have made for the country."
"I always remind people that legislation can always be changed," McConnell said. "But you can't do anything about a lifetime appointment to the federal judiciary if you pick the right kind of people."
At a campaign stop outside a Teamsters hall in Louisville, McGrath suggested her opponent has abdicated his responsibility related to the pandemic.
"We need better leaders," McGrath said. "We have Senator Mitch McConnell, who basically just went on vacation again, you know, put the Senate on recess, even when President Trump wants more aid."
McGrath was referring to the lack of progress in passing another round of stimulus. McConnell had proposed a $500 billion relief bill, but Democratic lawmakers have demanded a more expansive package.
"This is a guy who for 36 years doesn't care about you," McGrath said. "And here we are in the middle of a national crisis, and he still doesn't care about you."
Back at the campaign event in Madison County, McConnell recounted his role in passing previous legislation to tackle the health and economic crises facing Americans.
"Every bill has to start somewhere, and the CARES Act started in my office," McConnell said. "And we built it out to tackle both of these unique, incredible challenges."
