Actress Ashley Judd won’t run for US Senate

Actress Ashley Judd. AFP FILE PHOTO

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Actress Ashley Judd said she won’t run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky against Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

Judd made the announcement in a Twitter message late Wednesday afternoon.

Judd had hinted last week that she was nearing a decision about the race.

The former Kentucky resident now living in suburban Nashville, Tenn., has said little publicly about her intentions.

However, she has been meeting with several Democratic leaders, including Gov. Steve Beshear, to discuss a possible run.

Defeating McConnell would be the Democrats’ biggest prize of the 2014 election.

His seat is one of 14 that Republicans are defending while Democrats try to hold onto 21. Democrats hope to retain or add to their 55-45 edge.

Judd has starred in several movies including “Kiss the Girls” and “Dolphin Tale.”