Editing Jim Bunning (section)

==Political career==
Bunning was raised in a household supportive of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. While attending Xavier University, he joined the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Jock Caucus |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1987/02/23/the-jock-caucus-the-bloc-of-ex-athletes-on-capitol-hill-is-growing-heres-a-look-at-two-new-additions-to-the-lineup-jim-bunning-r-ky |access-date=December 8, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=February 23, 1987 |quote=Bunning is a staunch supporter of the President, and, in fact, the careers of Ronald Reagan and Bunning have several parallels. Both had Democratic upbringings, both made big names for themselves outside politics, both were strong members of their professional unions, and both entered politics at the urging of influential friends. The product of a Democratic household, Bunning registered as a Republican in college and was at one time a conservative ideologue. "Everything was black and white to me, but as time goes on, things are getting a little grayer," he says. "I think I understand the other side more. I'm more willing to compromise. Still, I guess you can say I come down right of center."}}</ref>

===Local and state positions===
[[File:Reagan Contact Sheet C15747 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Bunning greeting President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1983]]

First elected to office in 1977, Bunning served two years on the non-partisan city council of [[Fort Thomas, Kentucky]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Jim Bunning, Hall of Fame pitcher and ex-U.S. senator, dies |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/05/27/jim-bunning-hall-fame-pitcher-and-ex-u-s-senator-dies/351535001/ |access-date=December 8, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> before running for and winning a seat in the [[Kentucky Senate]] as a Republican.<ref>{{cite web|last=Collier |first=Mark |url=http://www.fortthomasmatters.com/2017/05/jim-bunning-former-us-senator-and.html |title=Jim Bunning, Former US Senator and Baseball Hall of Famer, Passes Away |publisher=Fort Thomas Matters |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref> He was elected minority leader by his Republican colleagues, a rare feat for a freshman legislator.<ref>{{cite web|author=TEGNA |url=http://www.whas11.com/news/local/jim-bunning-hall-of-fame-pitcher-and-ex-us-senator-from-kentucky-dead-at-85/443542218 |title=Jim Bunning, Hall of Fame pitcher and ex-U.S. senator from Kentucky, dead at 85 |publisher=WHAS11.com |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

Bunning was the Republican candidate for [[Governor of Kentucky]] in 1983. He and his running mate [[Eugene P. Stuart]] lost in the general election to Democrat [[Martha Layne Collins]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Peterson |first=Bill |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1983/11/09/martha-collins-elected-kentucky-governor/8e131149-6407-45a1-9473-ecc1f9fd09a7/ |title=Martha Collins Elected Kentucky Governor |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 9, 1983 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

===House of Representatives===
In 1986, Bunning won the Republican nomination in [[Kentucky's 4th congressional district]], based in Kentucky's share of the [[Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Cincinnati metro area]], after 10-term incumbent [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Gene Snyder]] retired. He won easily in November and was reelected five more times without serious opposition in what was considered the most Republican district in Kentucky. After the Republicans gained control of the House in 1995, Bunning served as chairman of the [[U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means|House Ways and Means]] Subcommittee on Social Security until 1999.<ref>{{cite web|author=Courier-Journal Report |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2017/05/27/jim-bunning-hall-fame-pitcher-and-ex-u-s-senator-kentucky-dead/351448001/ |title=Jim Bunning, Hall of Fame pitcher and ex-US senator from Kentucky, dead |publisher=Usatoday.com |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

===First Senate term===
In 1998, [[Senate Minority Whip]] [[Wendell Ford]] decided to retire after 24 years in the Senate—at the time, the longest term in Kentucky history (a record later surpassed by Mitch McConnell). Bunning won the Republican nomination for the seat, and faced fellow Congressman [[Scotty Baesler]], a Democrat from the [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]-based 6th District, in the general election.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/09/29/kentucky.senate/ |title=A neck-and-neck Senate race in Kentucky – September 29, 1998 |publisher=Cnn.com |date=September 29, 1998 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref> Bunning defeated Baesler by just over half a percentage point. The race was very close; Bunning only won by swamping Baesler in the 4th by a margin that Baesler couldn't make up in the rest of the state (Baesler barely won the 6th).<ref>{{cite news|author=PHILIP SHENON|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/05/us/1998-elections-states-kentucky-democrat-loser-senate-race-forgoes-recount.html |title=THE 1998 ELECTIONS: THE STATES – KENTUCKY; Democrat, Loser in Senate Race, Forgoes Recount – The New York Times |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 5, 1998 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

Bunning was one of the Senate's most conservative members, gaining high marks from several conservative interest groups. He was ranked by ''[[National Journal]]'' as the second-most conservative United States Senator in their March 2007 conservative/liberal rankings, after Sen. [[Jim DeMint]] (R-SC).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://politicalarithmetik.blogspot.com/2007/03/national-journal-2006.html |title=Political Arithmetik: National Journal 2006 Liberal/Conservative Scores |publisher=Politicalarithmetik.blogspot.com |date=March 5, 2007 |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref>

Among the bills that Bunning sponsored is the [[Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004|Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39084033 |title=The Exit Interviews: Sen. Jim Bunning – politics – The Exit Interviews |publisher=NBC News |date=September 16, 2010 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

===2004 Senate race===

{{main|2004 United States Senate election in Kentucky}}

Bunning was heavily favored for a second term in 2004 after his expected Democratic opponent, Governor [[Paul E. Patton|Paul Patton]], saw his career implode in a scandal over an extramarital affair. The Democrats chose [[Daniel Mongiardo]], a relatively unknown physician and state senator from [[Hazard, Kentucky|Hazard]]. Bunning had an estimated $4 million campaign war chest, while Mongiardo had only $600,000. However, due to a number of controversial incidents involving Bunning, the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] began increasing financial support to Mongiardo. Therein when it became apparent that Bunning's bizarre behavior was costing him votes, the Democrats purchased additional television airtime on Mongiardo's behalf.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49689-2004Oct20.html |title=Incumbent's Gaffes Narrow Ky. Senate Race |work=washingtonpost.com |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

During his reelection bid, controversy erupted when Bunning described Mongiardo as looking "like one of [[Saddam Hussein]]'s sons."<ref name="thedailyshow.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-november-2-2004/indecision-2004---senate-race-results |title=Indecision 2004 – Senate Race Results – The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – 11/02/2004 – Video Clip &#124; Comedy Central |publisher=Thedailyshow.com |date=November 2, 2004 |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref> Public pressure compelled him to apologize. Bunning was also criticized for his use of a [[teleprompter]] during a televised [[debate]] with Mongiardo where Bunning participated via satellite link, refusing to appear in person.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/2004/10/12/bunning_kentucky/ |title=Weirdness in Kentucky; The increasingly strange behavior of Republican Sen. Jim Bunning has led to speculation that he is suffering from some kind of dementia – and tightened a race he once had in his pocket |author=Mary Jacoby |date=October 12, 2004 |work=Salon Magazine}}</ref> Bunning was further criticized for making an unsubstantiated claim that his wife had been attacked by Mongiardo's supporters,<ref>{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Collins |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jim-bunning-pitches-into-trouble/ |title=Jim Bunning Pitches Into Trouble |publisher=CBS News |date=October 26, 2004 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604175411/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/26/politics/main651425.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> and for calling Mongiardo "limp wristed".<ref name="thedailyshow.com" /> Bunning's mental health was also questioned during the campaign.<ref name="thedailyshow.com" />

In October 2004 Bunning told reporters "Let me explain something: I don't watch the national news, and I don't read the paper. I haven't done that for the last six weeks. I watch [[Fox News]] to get my information."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/10/23/loc_kysenaterace23real.html |title=Mongiardo, Bunning camps trade barbs |publisher=Enquirer.com |date=October 23, 2004 |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref>

Bunning won by just over one percentage point after the western portion of the state broke heavily for him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/2004-11-02-ky-ussenate_x.htm |title=USATODAY.com – Bunning wins Senate race after close, bitter race |publisher=Usatoday30.usatoday.com |date=November 3, 2004 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref> Mongiardo retained a narrow lead with as much as 80 percent of the vote counted. However, he could not overcome Bunning's lead in the western portion of the state (which is in the Central Time Zone) as well as [[George W. Bush]] easily carrying the state.

===Second Senate term===

As was expected in light of Bunning's previous career as a baseball player, he was very interested in Congress's investigation of steroid use in baseball.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/01/AR2005110101723.html |title=Bunning, McCain to Reintroduce Steroids Bill |work=Washingtonpost.com |date=November 1, 2005 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2009/07/21/baseball-great-jim-bunning-steroid-users-have-no-place-in-hall-of-fame|title=Baseball Great Jim Bunning: Steroid Users Have No Place in Hall of Fame: Genuine baseball stars feel cheated by enhanced stats. Besides, the kids are watching|work=US News|first=Jim|last=Bunning|date=July 21, 2009|access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref> Bunning was also outspoken on the issue of [[illegal immigration]], taking the position that all illegal immigrants should be deported.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onenewsnow.com/politics-govt/2008/01/18/sen-bunning-amnesty-backers-smoking-something-illegal|title=Sen. Bunning: Amnesty backers 'smoking something illegal'|website=OneNewsNow.com|access-date=May 28, 2017}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Bunning was also the only member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs]] to have opposed [[Ben Bernanke]] for Chief of the [[Federal Reserve]]. He said it was because he had doubts that Bernanke would be any different from [[Alan Greenspan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2005/10/25/news/newsmakers/fed_bernanke_bunning/ |title=Greenspan critic Bunning also opposes Bernanke – Oct. 25, 2005 |publisher=Money.cnn.com |date=October 25, 2005 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

In April 2006, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine called him one of America's Five Worst Senators.<ref name="underperformer">{{cite web|first1=Massimo |last1=Calabresi | first2=Perry Jr. | last2=Bacon |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1183986,00.html |title=Jim Bunning: The Underperformer |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=April 16, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107011708/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1183986,00.html|archive-date=January 7, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The magazine dubbed him 'The Underperformer' for his "lackluster performance", saying he "shows little interest in policy unless it involves baseball", and criticized his hostility towards staff and fellow senators and his "bizarre behavior" during his 2004 campaign.<ref name="underperformer"/>

On December 6, 2006, only Bunning and [[Rick Santorum]] voted against the confirmation of [[Robert Gates]] as [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]], with Bunning saying that "Mr. Gates has repeatedly criticized our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan without providing any viable solutions to the problems our troops currently face. We need a secretary of defense to think forward with solutions and not backward on history we cannot change."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/07/AR2006120700210.html |title=Gates Confirmed As Secretary of Defense |work=Washingtonpost.com |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

Bunning reportedly blocked the move to restore public access to the records of past United States Presidents which had been removed under [[Executive Order 13233]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20071001/index.htm |title=Court Rules Delay in Release of Presidential Papers is Illegal; Fails to Address Authority of Former Vice Presidents to Hold Up Disclosure of Papers |publisher=National Security Archive |date=October 1, 2007}}</ref>

In January 2009, Bunning missed more than a week of the start of Congress. Bunning said by phone that he was fulfilling "a family commitment six months ago to do certain things, and I'm doing them." Asked whether he would say where he was, Bunning replied: "No, I'd rather not."<ref>{{cite news |title=Bunning absent from Senate, says family more important; Says his absences are inconsequential |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090116/NEWS01/301160012 |first=James R. |last=Carroll |newspaper=Louisville Courier-Journal |date=January 16, 2009}}</ref>

In February 2009, at the [[Hardin County, Kentucky|Hardin County]] Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner, while discussing conservative judges, Bunning predicted that [[Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court Justice]] [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]] would likely be dead from [[pancreatic cancer]] within nine months.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kraushaar |first=Josh |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0209/Bunning_Ginsburg_will_be_dead_in_nine_months.html |title=Bunning: Ginsburg will be dead in nine months |publisher=Politico.Com |date=February 22, 2009 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref> Bunning later apologized if he had offended Ginsburg with his remarks and offered his [[thoughts and prayers]] to Ginsburg.<ref name="Carroll">{{cite news |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090223/NEWS01/90223035/-1/NLETTER05 |title=Bunning apologizes for Ginsburg comments |last=Carroll |first=James R. |date=February 23, 2009 |newspaper=[[The Courier-Journal]] |access-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref> In an NPR interview in July 2019, Ginsburg noted that he was dead, and she was "very much alive".<ref>{{cite news |title=Justice Ginsburg: 'I Am Very Much Alive' |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/07/24/744633713/justice-ginsburg-i-am-very-much-alive |newspaper=NPR.org}}</ref>  Ginsburg died only 14 months later.

Bunning was the only senator to miss the Senate's historic Christmas Eve 2009 vote on the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|health care reform bill]]; he cited family commitments as his reason for missing the vote. The bill passed without any Republican votes, 60–39.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/73547-sen-barrasso-bunning-left-dc-before-healthcare-votes?page=2#comments |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |title=Sen. Barrasso: Bunning left D.C. before healthcare votes |date=December 24, 2009 |access-date=March 4, 2010 |archive-date=February 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227195444/http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/73547-sen-barrasso-bunning-left-dc-before-healthcare-votes?page=2#comments |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/livepulse/1209/Bunning_misses_vote_for_family_commitments.html |title=Bunning misses vote for 'family commitments' |date=December 24, 2009 |access-date=March 5, 2010 |newspaper=[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]] |first=Meredith |last=Shiner}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.jaxobserver.com/2009/12/26/bunning-missed-health-vote-for-family-commitments/ |title=Bunning: Missed Health Vote for 'Family Commitments' |date=December 26, 2009 |access-date=March 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Jacksonville Observer |archive-date=December 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228133333/http://www.jaxobserver.com/2009/12/26/bunning-missed-health-vote-for-family-commitments/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On February 25, 2010, Bunning objected to a proposal of [[unanimous consent]] for an extension of [[unemployment insurance]], [[Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985|COBRA]], and other federal programs, citing that this extension was not [[PAYGO|pay-as-you-go]]. He proposed an amendment which sought to find the funds to pay for the bill from the [[Stimulus Bill of 2009]], and declared that he supported the unemployed, but that a bill such as this only adds to the growing deficit and that it should be paid for immediately.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsCenter.NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=21648539-d0e8-4c3b-6078-362af45228d7 |title=Bunning Floor Statement On Pay-For Agreement |first=Jim |last=Bunning |date=February 26, 2010 |publisher=United States Senate |access-date=March 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307104134/http://bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsCenter.NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=21648539-d0e8-4c3b-6078-362af45228d7 |archive-date=March 7, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/-43594-1.html |title=Bunning Filibusters Benefits Extension; Durbin Fights Back |publisher=Roll Call |date=February 25, 2010 |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref>

{{blockquote|I have offered to do the same thing for the same amount of time. The only difference that I have. ... is that I believe we should pay for it. ... There are going to be other bills brought to this floor that are not going to be paid for, and I'm going to object every time they do it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsCenter.NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=0bb28da1-dbbc-c1a1-52ec-5a441b0041e4&Region_id=&Issue_id= |title=Bunning Senate Floor Quotes On Pay For |date=February 26, 2010 |publisher=United States Senate |access-date=March 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304030703/http://bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsCenter.NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=0bb28da1-dbbc-c1a1-52ec-5a441b0041e4&Region_id=&Issue_id= |archive-date=March 4, 2010 }}</ref>}}

Senator [[Bob Corker]] joined Bunning, while other senators worked to cease his objections until 11:48&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]. When Senator [[Jeff Merkley]] urged him to drop his objections to vote on a 30-day extension of benefits, Bunning responded "tough shit."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Politico |title=Jim Bunning repeatedly block unemployment extension, February 25, 2010 |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33566.html}}</ref> On March 2, Bunning finally agreed to end his objection to the bill in exchange for a vote on his amendment to pay for the package. It failed 53–43 on a procedural vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00031 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref> The extension of unemployment benefits then passed by a vote of 78–19.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wfpl.org/2010/03/02/bunning-drops-objection-to-senate-bill/ |title=89.3 WFPL &#124; Bunning Drops Objection To Senate Bill |publisher=Wfpl.org |date=March 2, 2010 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308125519/http://www.wfpl.org/2010/03/02/bunning-drops-objection-to-senate-bill/ |archive-date=March 8, 2010 }}</ref>

===Aborted 2010 re-election campaign===
{{Main|2010 United States Senate election in Kentucky}}
[[File:Rand Paul & Jim Bunning by Gage Skidmore.jpg|right|thumb|Bunning with his eventual successor, [[Rand Paul]]]]

In January 2009, when asked whether Bunning was the best candidate to run or whether there were better GOP candidates for Bunning's Senate seat, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman [[John Cornyn]] said: "I don't know. I think it's really up to Senator Bunning."  Bunning replied: "Anybody can run for anything they choose. I am gearing up, and I look forward to the challenge of taking on whoever comes out of the Democrat primary in May of 2010."<ref name="Politico-22Jan09">{{cite news |title=GOP pressures Bunning to quit |first1=Josh |last1=Kraushaar |first2=Manu |last2=Raju |date=January 22, 2009 |newspaper=Politico |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17785.html}}</ref> [[Kentucky State Senate]] President [[David L. Williams (politician)|David L. Williams]] was reportedly considering running against Bunning in the primary.<ref>{{cite news |author=Al Cross |title=As Conway announces, Senate race sharpens |date=April 12, 2009 |url= http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090412/COLUMNISTS12/904120352 |work=Louisville Courier-Journal}}</ref> Bunning responded by threatening to sue the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]] if they recruited a candidate to run against him in the primary. He also attacked NRSC Chairman John Cornyn:

{{blockquote|The NRSC never helped me last time and they're probably not going to help me this time&nbsp;... [David Williams] owes me $30,000 and he said he'll repay me. I was short in my FEC money and he asked me if I would help save two state senate seats&nbsp;... I told him if I did it I would have to have it replaced at the first of the year. So far he has not.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bunning: "I would have a suit" if Republicans recruit an opponent |url=http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2009/02/24/bunning-i-would-have-a-suit-if-republicans-recruit-an-opponent/ |publisher=bluegrasspolitics |date=February 24, 2009 |author=John Stamper |access-date=February 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430234139/http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com/2009/02/24/bunning-i-would-have-a-suit-if-republicans-recruit-an-opponent/ |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>}}

As of the end of September 2008, Bunning had $175,000 in his campaign account. By comparison, all other Republican senators facing competitive 2010 races had at least $850,000 at that point.<ref name="Politico-22Jan09" /> In the last quarter of 2008, the senator's campaign committee Citizens for Bunning had raised $27,000 from 26 separate contributions, ending the year with $150,000 in cash.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bunning's weak '08 fundraising raises more questions about 2010 run; Doubts continue growing despite vow to run in 2010 |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090124/NEWS01/901240456 |author=James R. Carroll |work=Louisville Courier-Journal |date=January 24, 2009 }}</ref>  In mid-April, KYWORDSMITH.com reported that of the $263,000 that Bunning collected during the first quarter of 2009, over 77% ($203,383) was received from out of state, while over 10% ($28,100) was actually untouchable for another 13 months as it was contributed exclusively for use in a general election.<ref>[http://kywordsmith.com/#/exclusive-3/4533522960] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016134135/http://kywordsmith.com/#/exclusive-3/4533522960|date=October 16, 2015}}</ref>  Bunning had two fund raisers scheduled in the first half of April.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsandtribune.com/archive/x518756716/Bunning-says-fund-raising-picking-up-after-lousy-start |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909125800/http://newsandtribune.com/archive/x518756716/Bunning-says-fund-raising-picking-up-after-lousy-start |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 9, 2012 |date=March 31, 2009 |title=Bunning says fund raising picking up after "lousy" start; has two upcoming Kentucky fund raising events |author=Ronnie Ellis |work=New Albany Tribune and Jeffersonville Evening News }}</ref>

In an April 2009 poll, Bunning's approval rating was just 28%, and he trailed the four most likely Democratic candidates in hypothetical contests. 54% of voters in the state disapproved of Bunning's performance.<ref>Debnam, Dean (April 8, 2009). "Bunning in big trouble". Public Policy Polling, April 8, 2009. Retrieved on April 8, 2009 from [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_KY_408.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815144010/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_KY_408.pdf|date=August 15, 2009}}</ref>  [[Kentucky Secretary of State]] [[Trey Grayson]] announced on April 30, 2009, that he would form an exploratory committee to run for Bunning's seat. It was speculated that this was a precursor to Bunning's retirement.  "He (Bunning) told Trey to do this", one senior congressional official said of Bunning. "Why else would he tell his main rival to prepare for a run?" <ref name="l158">{{Cite web |last1=Kraushaar |first1=Josh |last2=Raju |first2=Manu |date=2009-04-30 |title=Bunning poised to retire |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/04/bunning-poised-to-retire-021956 |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=POLITICO}}</ref> However, Bunning said at a Lincoln Day dinner in Kentucky on May 9 that he still planned to run: "The battle is going to be long, but I am prepared to fight for my values."<ref>[http://kywordsmith.com/#/gopdinner/4533687284] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016134135/http://kywordsmith.com/#/gopdinner/4533687284|date=October 16, 2015}}</ref>

In a press conference on May 19, Bunning called fellow Kentuckian [[Senate Minority Leader]] [[Mitch McConnell]] a "[[control freak]]": "If Mitch McConnell doesn't endorse me, it could be the best thing that ever happened to me in Kentucky."<ref>{{cite news |title=Bunning calls McConnell a control freak |author=Politico|date= May 19, 2009 |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0509/Bunning_calls_McConnell_a_control_freak.html}}</ref>

On July 27, 2009, Bunning announced he would not run for re-election in 2010, blaming fellow Republicans for doing "everything in their power to dry up my fundraising."<ref>{{cite news |title=Bunning Will Not Seek Third Term; GOP Leaders Urged Senator to Retire |author= Ben Pershing and Chris Cillizza |date= July 28, 2009 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR2009072703026.html?hpid=politics |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>  On April 14, 2010, in a further show of disdain for GOP leadership and insiders, Bunning announced his support for outsider candidate [[Rand Paul]] over establishment favorite Trey Grayson.<ref>{{cite news |title= Senator Jim Bunning Endorses Rand Paul |work= Business Wire |date= April 14, 2010 |url= http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100414007028&newsLang=en}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
*'''[[United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs|Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs]]'''
**[[United States Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions|Subcommittee on Financial Institutions]]
**[[United States Senate Banking Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment|Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment]] (Ranking Member)
*'''[[United States Senate Committee on the Budget|Committee on the Budget]]'''
*'''[[United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources|Committee on Energy and Natural Resources]]'''
**[[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on Energy|Subcommittee on Energy]]
**[[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on National Parks|Subcommittee on National Parks]]
**[[United States Senate Energy Subcommittee on Water and Power|Subcommittee on Water and Power]]
*'''[[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Committee on Finance]]'''
**[[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care|Subcommittee on Health Care]]
**[[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure|Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure]] (Ranking Member)
**[[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness|Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness]]