FRANKFORT — U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning said Tuesday he doubts that his campaign fund-raising for the second quarter of the year will match Secretary of State Trey Grayson's, but he still plans to stay in the 2010 race.
Bunning, who's been in the Senate since 1999, also said he doesn't think fellow Republican Grayson will run for his job if he stays in the race.
Grayson's exploratory committee reported Monday that it has raised $602,699 since May 6. Bunning raised $262,980 in the first quarter of this year and has said he will need about $7 million to run against a Democratic challenger. Bunning has until July 15 to file his campaign finance report with the Federal Election Commission.
Bunning's comments about the race were made during his regular weekly telephone conference with reporters.
Kevin Broghamer, a spokesman for Grayson's exploratory committee, said it will have "no comment" on Bunning’s remarks.
Bunning said he does not have the luxury to spend every day raising funds but expects to have "more cash on hand than any other Republican in the race."
Bunning had $375,747 on hand at the end of March. Grayson's committee said it has $572,103 on hand at the end of June.
"This job keeps me a little busy," Bunning said.
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