Northup will not attend Republican National Convention

Former U.S. Rep. Anne NorthrupMINNEAPOLIS -- Former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup (R-Louisville) will not be attending this week's Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., according to the state Republican Party.

At the June state Republican convention, Northup was selected as an "at-large" delegate to the RNC.

Northup is engaged in a race to regain the 3rd Congressional District seat she lost in 2006, facing freshman U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) again this year, with the roles reversed.

The latest public polling showed Northup 10 points behind Yarmuth.

Many candidates in tough election battles avoid their conventions in favor of campaigning.

During last week's Democratic National Convention, 2nd District Democratic candidate and state Sen. David Boswell (D-Owensboro) was absent. Boswell is fighting an open seat battle against state Sen. Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green).

Guthrie and Yarmuth both put in time at their respective conventions, however.

For this year's Republican gathering, a handful of Republican Senate candidates also announced well in advance that they would skip the Minneapolis event.

Northup's campaign did not return requests for comment.