Though it holds elections three out of every four years, Kentucky's ballot boxes will be idle in 2009, with no regularly scheduled state or federal elections for the first time since 2005. After two trying general elections in consecutive years that included hard fought contests for the U.S. Senate and all statewide officials, the chairs of Kentucky's political parties sound like they are ready to regroup and retool.

Both Steve Robertson, of the Republican Party of Kentucky, and Jennifer Moore, of the Kentucky Democratic Party, say their parties will look to build and grow in 2009 while preparing for what is likely to be a tough U.S. Senate battle in 2010.

Robertson said the dialogue between the state party and membership began just after the election, at a state party central committee meeting. "We had a very long and sincere talk with each other about the steps that we take to grow this party in Kentucky," he said.

He also suggested the strategy for building the party and filling vacancies in county parties would not be led from the "top down." "We've started the conversation with the people who are the foot soldiers - the people who are on the ground," said Robertson.

Moore said that in addition to candidate recruitment, the KDP would, "focus on building the party in areas where it may not be as strong in other areas."

Asked if that included the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky, where President-elect Barack Obama lost in counties that had not voted Republican in decades, Moore acknowledged the party was "hopeful" for better numbers there, but suggested the lack of local races in the area contributed to the margins.

"There were no local elections - other than in the area around Ashland - that would get people energized on a local level," said Moore. "It's hard to get those people out or energized when they don't have a presidential race or they don't have a local race," Moore said.

Moore also touted wins in state legislative races across the state by Democrats despite a relatively absent presidential campaign infrastructure and in the face of major losses at the top of the ticket.

"Despite having that disadvantage on the Democratic side, we maintained every seat in the state Senate that we had and we picked up seats in the state House," Moore said. "I think that's a testament to the hard work that those Democratic office holders have been doing over the last few years. They were able to maintain their seats in areas where the presidential margins were double digits."

Talk of 2010

Both Moore and Robertson said their memberships are preparing for the battle over U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning's (R-Southgate) seat in 2010.

In his two general election bids, Bunning has yet to receive more than 51 percent of the vote, narrowly fighting off tough competition from then-state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard) in 2004. Those close margins have encouraged some national political analysts to label his seat a "toss-up," with speculation Bunning may not seek another term. Bunning, meanwhile, has been telling anyone who asks that he is running since before this year's general election.

"He certainly indicated that that was his interest, so we look forward to getting involved in that campaign," said Robertson of Bunning's feeling on the race.

Robertson said Bunning's visible opposition to the economic bailout legislation and criticism of the Federal Reserve's practices would give him a boost going into 2010. "Sen. Bunning is one of the few who had it right all along," said Robertson.

Moore said Democratic insiders were eyeing 2010 with a good deal of interest as well, though she said, "I'm not so confident that it will be Jim Bunning" who would be the Republican candidate.

"We need to get Wendell Ford's seat back in Democratic hands," added Moore, referencing the long-time Democratic incumbent whose retirement in 1998 led to Bunning's first win.