From NBC's Mark Murray
GOP Sen. Jim Bunning blocking the extension of unemployment insurance and transportation spending has now spilled over to the Senate race to succeed him.

Democrat Jack Conway, who's running to replace the retiring Bunning, has issued a petition demanding that Bunning end his blockage.

Conway is competing against Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo in the Democratic primary, and Mongiardo also has criticized Bunning here. The Republicans in the race are Rand Paul (Ron Paul's son) and Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, and both are supporting Bunning's block.

Below is Conway's petition....

In an appalling display of political posturing, Jim Bunning is blocking an urgent extension of unemployment and health care benefits. These critical benefits help over 100,000 Kentucky families and more than 1 million people across the nation. Jim Bunning's filibuster put them in great jeopardy.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree -- Republicans Rand Paul and Trey Grayson have shown that they'll follow in the footsteps of Jim Bunning. In fact, Rand Paul has even gone so far as to plan a rally in support of Bunning. How can you rally around the loss of benefits for over 100,000 Kentucky workers? I simply don't understand it. If you want to see Kentuckians get the benefits they need and deserve, then sign my petition.

&Stand with me to tell Jim Bunning to step aside and allow a vote on the urgent extension of unemployment and health benefits. <http://www.democratsenators.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=2S4f7A%2BF1f00fm1ERNDhoVGQM6OteSox>

People are losing their jobs left and right. While we're focused on how to recover from one of the worst economic crises in generations, he's using this as a chance to engage in grandstanding. Kentucky deserves better.

This is one more example of how Washington isn't working for Kentuckians. We need to tell Jim Bunning that politics don't come first - the people of Kentucky do. Kentucky needs a fresh voice in Washington - a voice that will always put workers and families first.

&Stand with me to tell Jim Bunning - and his Republican shadows in this Senate race - to stop getting in the way of a critical extension of unemployment and health benefits that help millions of Americans. <http://www.democratsenators.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4Nc8Zih1yM1UPGYdgplcolGQM6OteSox>

We've seen political gamesmanship take precedence over solving problems too many times. This is an outrageous example of what happens in Washington each and every day. With your help, we can change that, and start putting Kentucky first again. Thanks for doing your part.