[img_assist|nid=375|title=2nd District Congressional candidate Brett Guthrie|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=196]Kentucky native Scott Jennings is working back in his home state as a consultant for the 2nd District Congressional campaign of state Senator Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green).

Jennings appeared with Guthrie at the 4th Congressional District Lincoln-Reagan dinner on April 12. He will serve as a political consultant for Guthrie. While requests for comment on specifics were unreturned, Jennings will join the Guthrie campaign with considerable political experience.

Jennings most recently served as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Political Director, in the office headed by then-Director Karl Rove. He left that position of October of 2007.

Prior to his tenure in D.C., Jennings headed George W. Bush's 2004 campaign in New Mexico. That state was one of only two that swung to Bush after going for Al Gore in 2000.

Jennings also worked on three winning campaigns within the Commonwealth. He served as political director for Bush's 2000 Kentucky campaign, Senator Mitch McConnell's 2002 effort, and Governor Ernie Fletcher's 2003 win.

In 2007, while still at the White House, Jennings was the object of some criticism for his role in presentations on 2006 election data given to political appointees in the General Services Administration.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (R-California) subsequently launched an investigation of these presentations amid allegations GSA chief Lurita Alexis Doan turned discussion at the presentations to how appointees could "help" Republican candidates in 2008.

Guthrie is the lone Republican seeking the 2nd District seat left open by retiring incumbent Congressman Ron Lewis (R-Cecilia). Two Democrats are also in the race - state Senator David Boswell (D-Sorgho) and Daviess County Judge/Executive Reid Haire.

The race is expected to be a competitive one, as it is being targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Guthrie has also been receiving national help. Vice President Dick Cheney headlined a Lexington fundraiser for the candidate on March 31.