U.S. Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky says he's not surprised that state Senate President David Williams has decided not run against him in the 2010 Republican primary.Williams had earlier said he was considering a run for the office, but announced Monday he would not challenge Bunning, who is seeking a third term.Bunning told reporters during his weekly teleconference Tuesday that he never believed Williams was serious about seeking the office. He contends that Williams was recruited by national party leaders to show interest in the race as part of a ploy to dry up Bunning's fundraising.Bunning says it would be illogical for Williams to give up his high position in Frankfort."He's a big fish in a little pond there. (He) has all the power that the president pro tem of the Senate could possibly muster. He's a major player in Kentucky politics, and rightly so, because he has held that coaliton together for ten years," Bunning said.Bunning's seat is widely considered to be one of the most vulnerable in Washington next year, but Republican leaders deny recruiting anyone to run against him.
