Kentucky Democrats and nominee Jodie Haydon are wasting no time at all in a crucial special election in central Kentucky, where Republican State Senator Dan Kelly resigned to accept a judicial appointment. (We noted the typical, classless response from Kelly’s Republican colleagues at the time.)

Haydon was first out of the gate last week with a powerful biographical ad, noting his local roots and sterling record of service:

Meanwhile, an independent group has chimed in with their own biographical ad praising Haydon, as well as a new spot hammering Republican nominee Jimmy Higdon for his anti-family voting record in the legislature. The group helpfully posted both ads to YouTube, for all to see.

Neither Higdon nor the Republican Party of Kentucky, as best we can tell, has joined the media fight with ads of their own - perhaps a consequence of poor fundraising by Higdon. Democrat Jodie Haydon outraised the Republican nominee nearly 4-1 in the opening campaign finance period, $64,855 to $16,405. Higdon also has about $16,000 left from his last State House campaign, but he’ll need to do much better if he expects to keep pace with Haydon.

The importance of this race cannot be overstated. The Republican-controlled Senate has been the chief roadblock to Democratic Governor Steve Beshear’s deficit reduction and job creation efforts, and a Haydon win in the conservative-leaning 14th District would give the chamber 18 Democrats, 19 Republicans, and an independent who caucuses with the Republicans. If Haydon can pull it off, rumors are already flying that Gov. Beshear would cross the aisle again and name another Republican Senator to his cabinet, setting up a final showdown for control of the chamber.