LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday endorsed Kentucky congressman Andy Barr in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell, the former longtime Senate GOP leader.
“Andy Barr has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Entrepreneur Nate Morris announced that he was withdrawing from the race and joining Trump in endorsing Barr.
I’m incredibly proud to join President Trump in endorsing @BarrForSenate. Like President Trump said, Andy knows what it takes to get things done and deliver BIG for the America First agenda.
— Nate Morris (@NateMorris) May 1, 2026
It’s time for all Kentuckians to rally behind our next Senator, Andy Barr! pic.twitter.com/1YjGRezI1Z
Barr will face Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in the May 19 Republican primary.
All three Republicans coveted the president's endorsement in the conservative state, where Trump won 64% of the vote in the 2024 presidential race. Barr and Morris have run numerous ads featuring Trump, and Morris has received financial support from conservative ally Elon Musk.
Republican candidates in the Kentucky race have made very little mention of McConnell during the campaign, reflecting the changing dynamics of the Trump-led GOP.
Each has a connection to McConnell. Cameron is a former aide, Barr has referred to the senator as a mentor, and Morris worked as an intern in McConnell’s office. Trump once praised McConnell as an ally but more recently has been critical of the seven-term senator.
The Democratic field includes former state lawmaker Charles Booker and former Marine pilot Amy McGrath.
Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate race in Kentucky since 1992.
