The Kentucky Democratic Party is trying to use Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's re-election bid as a catalyst to raise money even before a serious challenger gets into the race.
In a series of emails bashing McConnell, Gov. Steve Beshear and other party leaders have been calling for financial donations to end the Republican floor leader's three-decade Senate career.
State Democratic Party Chairman Dan Logsdon said the results of the effort have been "awesome," though he declined to say how much has been raised.
So far no major Democratic challenger has emerged. Actress Ashley Judd, a former Kentucky resident, had considered a run. But she announced last week she had decided against it.
Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes hasn't ruled herself out as a potential challenger. She is favored by many establishment Democrats in the Bluegrass State.