This is one of the best news republicans had received in while. Ashley Judd announces that she will not challenge Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell for his Kentucky Senate seat. This is one less seat the GOP has to defend. This also prevents OFA from expanding the electoral playing field on the back of star power.

Update: Ashley Judd has announced via Twitter that she will not run for Senate. “After serious and thorough contemplation, I realize that my responsibilities & energy at this time need to be focused on my family,” she wrote.

Actress Ashley Judd has decided not to pursue a bid for the Kentucky Senate race, according to two sources familiar with her decision.

A source close to Judd said that Secretary of State Allison Lundergan Grimes’s interest in potential race made the decision not to run easier. “The timing just wasn’t right,” said the source.

This was really a close call. Too many on the Right dismissed Ashley Judd’s chances. But they underestimate OFA’s ability to use celebrity star power to turn out Low Information voters. Mitch McConnell and the Republican Party are breathing a sigh of relief. Now they can focus on holding or even picking up seats.