Bob Heleringer

MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Southgate) told PolitickerKY.com he has been hard at work fundraising for candidates for Kentucky’s state legislature.

“I’ve been going around trying to assist some of our down-ticket people so they can run a competitive race and hold their seat or win a new one,” Bunning said.

The two-term U.S. senator said he had headlined five fundraisers for state legislative candidates in the last three weeks, noting he is hopeful Republicans can make gains in a series of targeted districts.

Bunning spoke enthusiastically about the candidacy of former state Rep. Bob Heleringer, who is seeking a state Senate seat in the 19th district – part of metro Louisville.

“It’s looking a heck of a lot better than most of them do in Jefferson County,” said Bunning about Heleringer’s bid against incumbent Tim Shaughnessey (D-Louisville).