Republican FEC Complaint Gets Possible Senate Candidate Matt Jones Removed From Hosting 'Kentucky Sports Radio' (For Now)

The Book

MATT JONES' candidacy for Senate in KENTUCKY has gotten the "KENTUCKY SPORTS RADIO" host sidelined for now from his radio duties after the Republican Party Of KENTUCKY filed a complaint with the FEDERAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION alleging that the radio show and a book deal with SIMON AND SCHUSTER constitute illegal contributions to his campaign.

The LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER reports that JONES, who is running as a Democrat in a bid to get the nomination to oppose Senate Majority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL in 2020, was the subject of an 18-page complaint from the Republicans that claimed JONES is an official candidate subject to FEC rules because JONES filed paperwork with the agency to form an exploratory committee and has raised and spent $9,700 thus far. In response, iHEARTMEDIA, which syndicates JONES' show across KENTUCKY, told him to come off the air.

In a statement posted to the KSR website, JONES wrote, "Due to the MITCH MCCONNELL complaint filed this morning with the FEC against me, iHEARTRADIO 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 iHEARTRADIO’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 iHEARTRADIO 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.

"Until the next time, Go CATS!"

JONES, with CHRIS TOMLIN,  is writing a book about MCCONNELL, "MITCH PLEASE," scheduled for publication on MARCH 17, 2020 and described by the publisher as "a withering, humorous look at how MITCH MCCONNELL has been bad for KENTUCKY -- and why he needs to be voted out in 2020."

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