Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) unpopularity in his home
state might leave him susceptible to a 2014 challenge, including a
potential Senate bid by actress Ashley Judd, according to a poll
released Tuesday by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling.

Although Kentucky remains deeply Republican, McConnell's low approval
ratings -- the worst of any senator nationally, according to PPP --
could make him vulnerable. Just 37 percent of Kentucky voters approve of
his performance, while 55 percent disapprove.

McConnell, who eked out a slim victory in 2008, has already begun
preparing to fight for reelection. He hired former Ron Paul strategist
Jesse Benton to run a "presidential-level campaign in Kentucky,"
McConnell said in a statement in September.

While some speculated the move was meant to ward off potential Tea Party
rivals, PPP found that half of GOP voters would like to see McConnell as
their party's nominee, while just 35 percent would favor someone more
conservative.

Benton has predicted a challenge from the left, instead. "We're not
anticipating a primary challenge," he told Business Insider in
September. "But we expect him to be the biggest target for the national
Democrats."

One challenger he might not have expected is Judd, who is reported to be
seriously considering a Democratic bid.

*PPP found that Judd would be the top choice of Democratic primary
voters, and would trail McConnell by just four points in a hypothetical
matchup, 43 percent to his 47 percent.*

McConnell led the state's lieutenant governor, Jerry Abramson, and its
attorney general, Jack Conway, by equal margins. He fared better against
other prospective candidates, with his widest lead a 12-point margin
over state auditor Adam Edelman.

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Ashley Judd...now that would improve Kentucky's standing in the eyes of
the national and the world.