Mitch McConnell has been the Senior Senator from Kentucky for as long as some Kentuckians can remember. The ranking Republican in the Senate and a cornerstone of the beltway Republican establishment, Mitch McConnell has long been unbeatable in the political arena. This year, however, he faces both a primary challenge from Tea Party candidate Matt Bevin, and a challenge in the general election from Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes. I attended one of Mrs. Grimes’ campaign events earlier this year for The New York Times. 

Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes practices her stump speech word-for-word before a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Grimes plans to run against Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the upcoming 2014 midterm election. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes' Chevy Suburban is seen parked outside the Center for African-American Heritage before a campaign event in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

An anti-McConnell bumper sticker is pictured on a laptop computer belonging to Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes' campaign before a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Campaign materials for Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes' are pictured before a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes (Middle) high-fives campaign State Director Matt Daley (Left) and Kentucky Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson (Right) backstage upon hearing the results of a Bluegrass  Poll which put her ahead of Mitch McConnell by 4 percentage points. Grimes later  delivered remarks at a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes delivers remarks during a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Supporters listen as Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes delivers remarks during a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes greets supporters after delivering remarks at a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes embraces Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway after delivering remarks at a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Supporters walk past a campaign bus for Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes after a campaign event at the Center for African-American Heritage in Louisville, Ky. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

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**Photos copyright Luke Sharrett and The New York Times**