[img_assist|nid=674|title=U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville)|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=left|width=420|height=259]During a swing through the Northeast last weekend, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) got some fundraising help at a reception hosted by the Republican leader of the New Jersey state Senate, Tom Kean Jr.

The Sunday fundraiser was the second hosted by Kean for McConnell this election cycle.

In 2005, McConnell was on the other side of the fundraising relationship with Kean, during the New Jerseyan’s own bid for the U.S. Senate. McConnell’s Bluegrass Committee PAC provided $10,000 to Kean’s campaign coffers during that effort. Kean ultimately lost to then-U.S. Rep. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).

Kean currently serves as the minority leader in the New Jersey state Senate. His father was a former Republican governor of New Jersey who chaired the 9/11 Commission, which investigated the circumstances surrounding the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks

It now appears the younger Kean is doing his part to help McConnell secure a fifth term. This year, McConnell faces a potentially tough opponent capable of extensive self-financing in multi-millionaire businessman Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville).

At last report, McConnell had over $7 million on hand for his run against Lunsford. Still, the out-of-state fundraising in New Jersey may be a benefit to McConnell’s efforts in the race, which Lunsford himself declared would be “a war.”

According to FEC report statistics posted at OpenSecrets.org, McConnell is pulling in proportionately more money from outside of Kentucky this election than for his last race in 2002. $3.7 million – or 43 percent of his itemized contributions – have come from within Kentucky this year, while $4.8 million – or 57 percent – are from out of state.

In 2002, when McConnell trounced Democrat Lois Combs Weinberg by nearly 30 points, $2 million of his itemized contributions – or 55 percent – were from within Kentucky and $1.6 million – 45 percent – were from out of state.

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• Kean raises money for Kentucky senator