Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is in a familiar place on the farm bill — keeping silent on his position until the last minute.

The Senate’s minority leader intends to vote for the bill, but has done little to publicize his stance — just as the Kentuckian wouldn’t reveal his position on an earmark moratorium earlier this year, a key immigration vote in 2007 and pending Medicaid regulations that many governors oppose.

But there’s a lot at stake for McConnell. He faces a difficult reelection this year back home and the Bluegrass State stands to benefit from a $489 million tax break package for the thoroughbred industry.

“We’re asking all of our congressional delegation to support passage, and ‘all’ certainly means Sen. McConnell,” said Marshall Coyle, president of the Kentucky Farm Bureau.

McConnell declined to comment for this story, but late Wednesday his spokesman said he would vote for the farm bill. His GOP Senate colleagues say their leader’s silence is appropriate, especially for issues that fractured Republicans, such as farm subsidies and guest workers.

“I think that’s a sign of a good leader,” said Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.). “He’s not trying to influence the membership at large. On the issues where there’s not a conference position, Sen. McConnell is very controlled about influencing us.”

Larry Hart, director of government relations for the American Conservative Union (ACU), sympathizes with McConnell’s dilemma.

“It’s certainly very important from our point of view that Sen. McConnell help lead the Republicans, which he does on some issues and perhaps does not on others,” Hart said. “On the other hand, when there’s a split, he has to respect that.”

McConnell received a 92 percent rating from the ACU, Hart added, a gold standard.

Still, McConnell often keeps his positions quiet. In March, he didn’t announce his support of a ban on congressional earmarks until 11 p.m. — after the vote failed. Some thought the ban could have passed if he had spoken up sooner.