Is Matt Jones in for a 'rude awakening' if he challenges Mitch McConnell for Senate?

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Brad Bowman.

It's not really fair to say it would be David versus Goliath because Matt Jones is a giant in his own space.

The 39-year-old is the host and founder of Kentucky Sports Radio, the largest independent college sports blog in America with 35 radio affiliates around the state.

But in an interview with Politico, Jones set his sights pretty high, telling them he is considering a challenge to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

“What has Mitch McConnell done to help Kentucky?” Jones told Politico. “Mitch McConnell has been a master — a master at helping wealthy business interests get wealthier. If there is a rich guy Hall of Fame, he should be in it.”

A spokesman for Mitch McConnell's office declined to comment.

Jones has never held public office and although he would run as a Democrat he has taken aim at Kentucky politicians on both sides of the aisle.

So, does Matt Jones actually have a chance at beating Mitch McConnell?

Steve Voss, a professor of political science at the University of Kentucky — the heart of Jones' fanbase — said his level of celebrity is hard to dismiss.

"I'm not real surprised," Voss said. "He has been making a lot of noise about campaigning on his show and at political functions."

But Voss says that celebrity may be more fireworks than firepower.

"The fact he has name recognition will help in the short term with getting volunteers and spreading the word about a campaign," Voss said. "But in the long term, it becomes about more serious issues. At the end of it all, voters vote along party lines and issues."

McConnell has held his Senate seat since 1985. Kentucky has not elected a Democratic senator since 1992.

From 2016: Adam Edelen and Matt Jones launch political group

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But Brad Bowman, the spokesman for the Kentucky Democratic Party, said McConnell has an Achilles heel. Approximately 53 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of President Donald Trump, according to Real Clear Politics. McConnell is consistently rated as one of the least-liked national politicians.

"McConnell is probably the weakest he has been in years," Bowman said. "He hasn't been representing the needs of Kentucky."

While Bowman said he couldn't comment on Jone's potential candidacy because of conflicts with future primary candidates, he said McConnell's lack of results is paving the way for a strong Democratic candidate.

But Tres Watson, spokesman for the Kentucky GOP, said Jones' quest would be a longshot.

"Hosting a radio show and sports website is vastly different than running for Senate," Watson said. "Matt Jones is in for a rude awakening if he goes up against McConnell."

Watson referenced McConnell's 2014 victory over Allison Grimes, now secretary of state. As politically connected as Grimes was in Kentucky, McConnell still beat her 56 percent to 40 percent, one his largest margins of victory.

But Jones told Politico he isn't worried about his lack of political experience.

“I’m not a politician. I’m an ideologue,” Jones told Politico, “and I think we’re in a time when ideologues win.”

Thomas Novelly: tnovelly@courier-journal.com; 502-582-4465. On Twitter at @tomnovelly. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/tomn.

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