Kentucky Sec. of State to Challenge Sen. McConnell's seat

Apparently does not come as a surprise

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced Monday that she's challenging Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, giving Democrats their top recruit in the race.

"I'm here today to tell you that I have met with my supporters, we have had a great conversation and determined and decided that we can next make the best move, the best difference in the Commonwealth of Kentucky by running for the U.S. Senate," Grimes said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Grimes's decision to run is a boon for Democrats in their chances of defeating McConnell. Even though she's a political novice, she's generally seen as the most formidable of the remaining Democratic candidates still considering a run. Her father, Jerry Lundergan, is a well-connected former state party chairman and maintains close ties to the Clintons, and Grimes undoubtedly will tap in to that family's network during the campaign.