A new face in the U.S. Senate race…of 2010

While Kentucky may be focusing on this year's U.S. Senate competition between incumbent U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) and businessman Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville), one candidate is already gearing up for a shot at a Senate seat in 2010.

Former U.S. Customs agent and self-proclaimed "national security whistleblower" Darlene Fitzgerald announced on Tuesday that she will run for the seat of U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Southgate) as a Democrat in the next federal election cycle in the Bluegrass state.

"I am going to be one less person in Washington who can neither be bought off or bullied," Fitzgerald told PolitickerKY.com.

Fitzgerald enters the political fray spending several years pushing for "whistleblower" protections for federal government employees.

The state's newest candidate resigned from her position as a U.S. Customs special agent in 1999, alleging she was heavily pressured by supervisors for drawing attention to what she says was an unduly suspended investigation into drug trafficking. Since that time, Fitzgerald has co-authored a book about her experiences and advocated for "whistleblower" protections in various media outlets and before Congress.

Obtaining these "whistleblower" protections is a foremost motivation for Fitzgerald's Senate bid. She argues the lack of protections for federal government employees constitutes a national security threat and underlies numerous contemporary policy concerns.

"There is virtually no protection for federal government employees that are whistleblowers," said Fitzgerald. "People are afraid to speak out because they know what is going to happen - and it does happen 100 percent of the time. They go after whistleblowers because they can."

"This aspect affects every part of our government and is why we are in the mess we are in right now."Fitzgerald added. "If you are an insider and you know something is going on, how willing are you going to be to step up if you know what is going to happen to you? This puts us all at risk."

Still, Fitzgerald says her campaign will not simply focus on a single issue. She also said joblessness in Kentucky and veterans' issues -- including rising homelessness among that population -- will be principal concerns of her campaign.

"I know I am just one little person, but at least I will be one person up there doing the best I can to fight this issue and doing things for our veterans," said Fitzgerald.

Saying she has secured support from interests in and out of the state, including some Kentucky veterans and "whistleblower" organizations in Washington, Fitzgerald argued her campaign needed the two-year head start if she should be competitive against her established Republican opponent.

"I am going up against a powerhouse. My opponent, Mr. Bunning, is a multi-bazillionaire. I am not," said Fitzgerald. "I am going to have to win the old-fashioned way, and have to get out there and do the leg work."

Though there has been some speculation Senator Bunning may not seek a third term in 2010, he has announced intentions ot do so.

Democratic interest in the seat is also likely to be high. Bunning only narrowly secured his second term in 2004, eeking out a win over current Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard), 51 to 49 percent. Thus, Fitzgerald will likely face primary competition in her bid. As a newcomer to political campaigns and a relative unknown compared to other rumored candidates, the reception she will receive from the state's Democratic establishment is in question as well.

Though Fitzgerald hopes to be embraced by the Democratic Party, she also says she aims to counteract corruption where she perceives of it -- even if it conflicts with her own party.

"Lobbying is legal bribery -- that's what it is. K Street needs to go," said Fitzgerald, referring to the Washington, D.C., thoroughfare housing many of the nation's largest lobbying firms. "Are there Democrats involved in it? Of course they are. And I hope they understand that I won't be involved in that."

The candidate will officially announce her candidacy at a press conference next month in McCreary. The event will be held at the town's American Legion Post starting at 10 a.m. on Aug. 2.