LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — LEX 18's parent company, E.W. Scripps, has weighed in on the dismissal of Matt Jones as the host of 'Hey Kentucky!'

On Monday, a spokesperson for Scripps released the following statement:

“WLEX’s decision to part ways with Matt Jones was made independently, without any influence from political campaigns."

Jones is considering a run in the Democratic primary to challenge Senator Mitch McConnell next November. He is also writing a book about McConnell called 'Mitch, Please.' The decision to dismiss Jones was announced Friday.