The ideal replacement for outgoing GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell has allegedly been named in political inner circles.
And McConnell’s desired heir apparent isn’t coming from inside Capitol Hill.
But while the surprise name has the apparently inside track to replace the longtime Kentucky Republican, there’s still a challenge that lies ahead.
Getting President Donald Trump’s sign off.
As first reported by the Daily Beast, conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings is mulling a run to replace McConnell — but is waiting to see if President Trump will give him the green light.
“If the president wants me, I’ll run,” the veteran political strategist told media at an afterparty following Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“If he wants somebody else, I’ll support that candidate,” added Jennings.
Jennings is a former onetime adviser to McConnell, who will retire next year after being the longest-serving Senate leader of either party in the upper chamber’s history.
Another GOP source told The New York Post that Jennings’ interest in running for Senate was “certainly not fake.”
Jennings, 47, who did not immediately respond for comment, has emerged as a popular commentator for his frequent appearances on CNN’s “News Night With Abby Phillip” over the past year.
“He defends me all the time on CNN, and he defends me really well, but he can’t go too far because he’ll get fired,” Trump said of Jennings at a campaign-style rally in Warren, Mich., last night to mark the president’s 100th day in office.
In a show of support, Trump invited Jennings on stage — joking that it would be “the end” of his TV appearances on CNN.
“Michigan, we were flying in here today, and I said, ‘Look at these farms. I’ve got to get a farm in Michigan — because when you own as many libs as I do, you gotta get a place to put them all,’” Jennings joked after taking the mic from the commander in chief.
Those who currently work with Jennings, including those on the other side of the aisle, do believe Jennings has a unique knack.
Jennings has been known to clash with liberal pundits on the show and defend Trump administration policies that have earned him praise from Republicans and Democrats alike.
“I think he relishes a role in challenging the overwhelmingly liberal audience,” ex-Obama adviser and CNN commentator Van Jones said of Jennings in January.
“But he also understands television. The heel has to be more of a likable rascal than someone who’s just perceived as utterly evil. He knows how to dance that dance. It’s a rare gift.”
Those in conservative circles also believe Jennings could be a viable replacement for McConnell.
“Could I nominate [Scott Jennings] for the United States Senate from the Commonwealth of Kentucky? He’d be a hell of a McConnell replacement,” conservative radio host Erick Erickson tweeted in February.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee declined to comment about Jennings launching a bid for the Kentucky seat.
Jennings recently received a big pay raise and a new contract at CNN, even though the network declined to let him headline his own show.
Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced his candidacy within minutes of McConnell announcing his retirement in February — and Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) joined a list of potential replacements.