WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Defeated Kentucky businessman Matt Bevin is a little bitter about his loss to Sen. Mitch McConnell, saying he won't join McConnell for "tea and crumpets."
"You can't punch people in the face, punch people in the face, punch people in the face, and ask them to have tea and crumpets with you and think it's all good. Life doesn't work that way," said Bevin in an interview.
Bevin said he will not commit to voting for McConnell, but said that he will never vote for McConnell's Democratic opponent Alison Lundergan Grimes.
McConnell is in a dead heat in the polls against Grimes and is trying to consolidate support among Kentucky Republicans and donors for what is already a tough race.
Republicans are reported to have a good chance of taking back the Senate in the next election, making McConnell's seat even more important to the GOP. Since Bevin dropped out, Republicans are trying to get his tea party supporters to rally behind McConnell. It's a hard sell, as many far-right conservatives believe he is too moderate.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is expected to stump for McConnell in norther Kentucky this summer.
