Matt Jones, the well-known host of Kentucky Sports Radio and possible 2020 opponent to Mitch McConnell, is taking a leave of absence from the show due to a complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission by the Republican Party of Kentucky.
Basically, the complaint alleges that Jones is receiving in-kind contributions from iHeart Radio by being on the air.
Jones has formed an exploratory committee for a possible Senate run, and is working on a book about Mitch McConnell. The complaint says that by talking about both his possible candidacy and his book on the show, Jones is using the show as a platform to promote his candidacy. Corporate donations to candidates are not allowed, which is the basis for the RPK complaint.
Jones posted this statement on the radio show’s site, and later shared it via Twitter:
Due to the Mitch McConnell complaint filed this morning with the FEC against me, iHeart Radio has asked that I not be on the show in the upcoming days. The complaint is absolute nonsense and very disappointing from someone as powerful as McConnell. I have said repeatedly in public and in filings with the FEC that I am not yet a candidate and I haven’t used the show to raise money or talk about my Exploratory Committee in any way. Nevertheless Senator McConnell has complained that having me on air is unfair and the man who speaks often about the importance of free speech and the exchange of public ideas has decided to cut off mine.
I understand iHeart Radio’s decision and don’t blame them. Since I will be making a decision on whether to run very soon, fighting this battle with the Senate Majority leader doesn’t make sense. I get it and still value my relationship with them. If I choose in the coming days not to run, I hope to extend my deal with iHeart Radio and continue KSR into the future.
For the time being however, I won’t be on the show. I had hoped to do the show for a couple more weeks, make my decision and then take time off to finish my book and regroup after a long process. Thanks to Senator McConnell that time will apparently start now. One would think that a man who has at his disposal all the media outlets in America, an unending supply of corporate donations and all the platforms a person could ever need would not be frightened of a sports radio show in Kentucky. Alas, I guess that is not correct. I am disappointed but still love KSR and know that my co-hosts will keep it entertaining for everyone.
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