Tom Kean Jr. is paying back an out-of-state political ally.

About 25 friends and colleagues congregated at the state Senate minority leader’s Westfield home to meet and donate to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

It was, according to Kean, the second fundraiser he’s held for McConnell this election cycle, and a way of showing appreciation for one of his major out-of-state backer in his 2006 run against Bob Menendez.

In December, 2005, McConnell’s PAC, Bluegrass Committee, gave $10,000 to Kean’s Senate campaign, and three months later McConnell – then the majority whip -- headlined a New Jersey fundraiser for Kean.

“Senator McConnell was very, very good to me a couple years ago,” said Kean, who wouldn’t say how much was raised at the two fundraisers. “I did what I could to help support his reelection efforts.”

McConnell is fighting the toughest campaign of his Senate career against Democrat Bruce Lunsford, a multi-millionaire who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of the Bluegrass State twice. Although McConnell is favored to win, two recent polls have shown an apparently close race (McConnell’s campaign doubted their accuracy, however, and in response released internal polling that showed McConnell with an 11 point lead). So it was logical that McConnell would hit up the campaign cash machine also known as New Jersey.

Kean said that there was no ulterior motive for the fundraiser.

“Sometimes a fundraiser is just a fundraiser,” he said.

But the buzz in Republican circles is that the fundraisers are perhaps about more than Kean paying back McConnell for favors past. Rather, many see Kean as positioning himself for a future run for statewide office – perhaps a rematch against Bob Menendez in 2012.

Keeping good relations with the party’s national leaders could help Kean position himself against many of the other ambitious Republicans who demurred from running in 2008 but are looking ahead for a chance at statewide office, like State Sens. Bill Baroni (R-Hamilton) and Kevin O’Toole (R-Cedar Grove), famed cardiologist Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Biotech millionaire John Crowley.

“Staying tight with the guys who decide where the money goes is not a bad idea at all,” said one Republican elected official who attended the fundraiser.

Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University, doubted that Kean would have his sights set on another bout with Menendez, having been bruised so badly in the first one. But holding two fundraisers for a powerful Kentucky Republican, she said, is unique.

“He may not know what he’s trying to do, but sees this as a beneficial relationship no matter what he decides to do in the future,” she said.

Matt Miller, Director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, scoffed at the notion that Kean would fare any better against Menendez in 2012 than he did in 2006.

“We’ve seen that movie and it didn’t end very well for Kean,” he said.

Moreover, Miller said, Kean’s fundraising for McConnell shows a lack of faith in the state’s own Senate candidate: Dick Zimmer.

“It’s not surprising (McConnell) has to look for money anywhere he can,” said Miller. “”It’s a little surprising that he’s willing to take money out of the state of New Jersey when certainly Dick Zimmer needs all the help he can get.”

But no New Jersey Republicans reached today grumbled about that. Zimmer campaign consultant Ken Kurson noted that McConnell has donated $5,000 to Zimmer’s campaign, and that Kean has been there for him.

“Tom has been completely helpful to our run. He’s given great advice, introduced us to finance people. He’s been fantastic for us,” said Kurson.

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