On Wednesday, U.S. Senator McConnell and the Leadership Matters bus tour rolled into George J's in Glasgow, were he was greeted by nearly 100 supporters.  

About 85 people were on hand to greet the four-term senator, including local Republican officeholders Judge-Executive Davie Greer, County Clerk Pam Browning, and County Attorney Jeff Sharp. Barren County was once a Democratic stronghold, but it's trended Republican in recent years and McConnell has carried it in each of his races.

Barren County Sheriff Chris Eaton joined McConnell supporters, thanking him for working hard for the people of Barren County.  

But it was a Democrat who made news – news for McConnell, who thanked Sheriff Chris Eaton for his support. Later Eaton said it's true – he supports McConnell because of a $233,000 grant secured by McConnell for Eaton's office to upgrade its computer and communications equipment.

"That money won't benefit Republicans or benefit Democrats," Eaton said. "It's going to help the people of Barren County."

McConnell made just that pitch to the crowd inside George J's – his position as Leader of the Republican Caucus in the Senate gives him influence and clout which he can use for Kentucky's benefit. And Lunsford, only a couple of years younger than McConnell, won't have time to build that kind of seniority and clout, McConnell said.

"He's got no chance whatever to be in the position I'm in on your behalf," McConnell said. Electing Lunsford will be "a bad trade" for Kentucky, he said.