In yet another sign of where Kentucky’s GOP establishment stands on the upcoming Senate primary, Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced Monday that he has hired Jeremy Hughes — the former campaign manager for Rep. Geoff Davis (R) — to serve as his campaign political director.

Davis released a statement that was included in Grayson’s release Monday. It praised Hughes’ talent and expressed his certainty that Hughes’ “experience and work ethic will serve the Grayson team well.—

Davis hasn’t officially endorsed Grayson in his primary against eye surgeon Rand Paul — the son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) — but Hughes is the second former Davis staffer to take on a key leadership role in Grayson’s campaign.

Of course Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) hasn’t officially endorsed Grayson either, but the state’s senior Senator has become a prominent fundraising force for the Grayson campaign, and there’s no doubt among Bluegrass State political operatives about whom he is supporting. And in Kentucky, as McConnell goes, so goes the party establishment.

Like Grayson, Hughes hails from Davis’ northern Kentucky district. He also ran the state party’s turnout operation in the 4th district in 2008.