Kenny Colston

Senator Mitch McConnell's next election is a year and a half away, and he doesn't have a serious opponent. But this hasn't stopped him from amassing significant money and personnel for his re-election. 

Every week, new field directors, political staff and fundraisers join the effort to re-elect McConnell. But while they have the same goal, they don't have the same boss. Some of the staffers work for McConnell's campaign. Others are paid by the Republican Party of Kentucky, while some answer to various SuperPACs.

Scott Jennings is in that last category. He's a longtime political operative who has worked on two presidential campaigns and for McConnell in the past. This year, he's working with the newly-formed Kentuckians for Strong Leadership and the Kentucky Opportunity Coalition, which has just begun running ads supporting conservative ideas.

SuperPAC Impact

Jennings controls those organizations from an East Louisville office, which he shares with the PR firm he founded this year.

Jennings says conservative interest in the race has picked up now because supporters respect the role McConnell has played in blocking President Barack Obama's agenda.

A new report says the economic impact of tourism in Kentucky grew again last year.

The study reports a $12 billion impact for tourism last year.  That's up about four and a half percent from the previous year. In addition, the report credits tourism for 174,000 jobs and $2.7 billion in wages.

In a statement, tourism officials give partial credit to growth of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

The series of distilleries has drawn steady interest since it's inception in 1999, but broke an attendance record last year, drawing over half a million visitors.

Both Democrats and Republicans in Kentucky are focusing on a special state House election, which could be the only race this year. The special election for the 56th House District will likely place added pressure on both parties to come through with a victory.

Right now, Democrats have a five seat majority over Republicans in the state house. But if GOP nominee Lyen Crews can defeat Democrat James Kay on June 25, that will shrink the margin to four seats.

Republican Party of Kentucky chairman Steve Robertson says the 56th special election is Round 2 in a multi-year fight for the state house between his party and the Kentucky Democratic Party.

"Let's be realistic this election is going to be a big priority for both parties,” says Roberston.

The race could also be the first test of Super PAC might, as both Democratic and Republican Super PACs are been formed to influence state House races.

The major party nominees are in place for a key special election in Central Kentucky, after Republicans finalized their selection Tuesday night.

Democrats from Woodford, Franklin and Fayette counties held a nominating convention this week and unanimously picked Attorney James Kay of Versailles to run for the seat.

Kay is the chair of the Woodford County Democratic Party and a legislative aide to Democratic House leadership. If elected, Kay would need to resign from his aide position.

Republicans have chosen Lyen (pronounced "Lion") Crews, who ran for the seat in 2010. The special election will be June 25.

The seat is being left vacant by Democrat Carl Rollins, who is stepping down to work with two state education organizations.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo is encouraging Governor Steve Beshear to call a special session for redistricting to help end a federal lawsuit.

Last week several county clerks in Northern Kentucky filed a lawsuit claiming the state's inability to finish redistricting violates federal law.

In response, Stumbo released a letter he has sent to the governor, encouraging Beshear to call a special session soon to pass redistricting maps.

Stumbo says it's pointless to waste money on litigation when House lawmakers have already passed a new redistricting plan. Senate leaders have said they wanted to wait until the 2014 session to pass the maps.

Beshear says he's open to a special session on redistricting, but wants to make sure all parties are ready so costs can be minimized. It costs taxpayers $60,000 a day for a special session.