Kentucky is a solid red state but with a couple of tight races.

For the US Senate Jim Bunning(Republican) v. Dan Mangiardo(Democrat). This has been a real mud slinger with Mangiardo and his willing accomplices in the press trying to paint Bunning as a senile and incompetent while Bunnings friends have spread rumors of Mangiardo being a homosexual and as a classic liberal in the tax and spend sense. Bunning also said that Mangiardo looked like one of Saddam Hussein’s sons. Bunning still holds the lead in this race by 6 points but this is down from a double digit lead several months ago. I still feel Bunning will have a strong win.

Another race I’m keeping an eye on is Nick Clooney(Democrat) v. Geoff Davis(Republican) for the 4th congressional distric seat. Nick is the father of actor George Clooney and has brought his son’s star power and money with him:

MILTON, Ky. — It’s not the contributions from Grayson and Shelbyville and Fort Mitchell that catch your eye. It’s the ones from Santa Monica and Los Angeles, the ones attached to such names as Meg Ryan, Paul Newman, Salma Hayek, Warren Beatty, Renee Zellweger, Bette Midler, Danny DeVito and Kevin Costner.

Campaign checks have rolled in, too, from Catherine Zeta-Jones, Steven Spielberg, Red Buttons — and one George Clooney, whose credits include actor, director and, now, candidate’s son.

The press has characterized this race as “neck and neck”, a term familiar to residents where horse racing is king, but I haven’t seen any poll numbers. I’m not going to underestimate the star power of Cloooney and this seat has been democratic for the last 6 years. Republicans had held it for 30 years before that. President Bush carried 60% of the vote in the 4th congressional district in 2000.

The other congressional race I’m watching is Ron Lewis(Republican) v. Adam Smith(Democrat). Ron Lewis was first elected in 1994 when the Republicans wrested control of the congress from Democrats led by Newt Gingrich. Ron Lewis is very popular in the 2nd congressional district. Adam Smith is running as an open liberal championing abortion and against Kentucky’s marriage amendment. This race isn’t really close. Smith has little money to campaign with but it has been fun to follow as Smith, 25, fumbles around the campaign trail.

Which brings me to Kentucky’s latest constitutional amendment on the ballot today. It would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman banning homosexual marriages and civil unions. It will win big, at least 60%.

Kentucky politics is never boring.