Matt Jones: 'I was very close to not' running for Senate, but now will think about it

Sarah Ladd | Courier Journal

In a live video posted on Twitter on Thursday night, Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones, who's toyed with the idea of running for Senate against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2020, said he was almost ready to announce he wasn't running before he was taken off iHeart Radio.

The Republican Party of Kentucky filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission on Wednesday accusing Jones, a Democrat, of "serious violations" of regulations, including accepting corporate contributions toward his campaign and failing to report related expenditures.

After that, Jones announced he wouldn't be on iHeart Radio for the near future after he was asked to step back.

In his video following a day of #FreeMattJones trending nationally, Jones said he "was very close to not doing it. Like, very close. To the point that I'd had some discussions about potentially even announcing this morning on the show that I wasn't gonna do it."

More: Matt Jones dismisses Kentucky GOP's complaint about him: 'I don't have a candidacy'

Earlier: KSR host Matt Jones to take break from iHeart Radio show after Kentucky GOP complaint

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His decision hinged on whether or not Matt Bevin won his gubernatorial reelection bid, Jones said. He'd thought if Bevin won, he wouldn't run. If Bevin lost, he'd give it a few days and make an announcement.

"But now," Jones said, "they've given me more to think about."

He still didn't make a definitive announcement, but said, "I think the decision has to come soon."

A discussion of the last 24 Hours https://t.co/j2WjFtpn1b — Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 8, 2019

Reach breaking news reporter Sarah Ladd at sladd@courier-journal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ladd_sarah. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.