The field of contenders to replace Kentucky's retiring senior senator Mitch McConnell, widened even more this week with entry of a familiar face.

Former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, who lost by 20 points to McConnell back in 2020, is attempting a comeback.

She says she's battle tested and ready to stand up for Kentuckians and not back down from President Donald Trump.

What's the reaction that you've been getting so far?

It's been great.

It's been great.

I mean, so many people are just exhausted.

A lot of people have checked out.

A lot of people are fearful about what's going on.

But they're exhausted with the chaos, and they want somebody to just stand up and say, enough is enough.

Let's stop these food fights.

Let's stop.

Let's have some people get into office who are decent and have courage.

And that has been what's powered me in the last 48 hours.

Just everyday people who I've met who are just saying, you know what?

We can do better.

For those who are skeptical of your candidacy now based on past performances, what specifically would you say to them that makes you a better candidate than you were in 2020?

And for the U.S.

Senate in 2018, in Congress?

Look, I think I think things have changed, in many, many ways.

You know, I'm somebody that didn't grow up within a political party.

I'm somebody who serve my country and, simply believe in servant leadership and that we can have better leaders with with decency and courage.

But from 2020, you know, when when, when when I look at that race and that was a that was a really tough time.

And we took on Mitch McConnell, a 30 year incumbent with all of his dark money and all of his establishment, you know, people.

And, and that was in a presidential.

And we dealt with that during Covid, you know, when we couldn't even campaign.

And so I look at this now and I think, wow, this is a midterm.

Mitch McConnell saw the writing on the wall.

People see that they want change.

That's why Mitch McConnell saw the writing on the wall and left this an open seat.

And Kentuckians have proven that they will vote for the best candidate, whether that's a D or an R, because we have a Democratic governor.

And so to me, I look and I say, you know, there's so many Kentuckians that haven't given up and I'm not going to give up either.

We'll have more with McGrath tomorrow.

When she talks about how she came to the decision to run again and her concerns about the future of the country.

All of that is tomorrow night on Kentucky Edition.