Trump-backed Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) won the GOP nomination for Senate in Kentucky on Tuesday in a bid to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Barr, who has served in the House since 2013, defeated former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. The Associated Press called the race at 7 p.m. ET, with Barr leading Cameron 64% to 28% with 5% of the vote in.
Barr’s victory marked a significant win for President Donald Trump, who endorsed the seventh-term congressman earlier this month, as another opponent, entrepreneur Nate Morris, dropped out to accept a future ambassador post in the administration.
Now the nominee, Barr is almost certain to become the next senator from Kentucky in the November general election. Trump won Kentucky by 31 percentage points over former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
Trump referred to Barr as a “Proven Political Winner” in a recent Truth Social post while avoiding mention of Cameron, whom the president has also praised in the past.
“I know Andy well, and he is always a Vote we can count on because he knows what it takes to GET THINGS DONE and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump posted. “I Endorsed Andy years ago, in his first Race, and all others, for Congress, and he never let me down — He is a 100% solid American Patriot!”
TRUMP CLEARS THE FIELD FOR ANDY BARR IN KENTUCKY SENATE RACE
He continued: “Andy Barr is a Strong Supporter of TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER, before the Democrats do it (which they will, on Day One, if they get control of the U.S. Senate!). He will do everything in his power to get it done. It is desperately needed by the Republican Party to pass the SAVE AMERICA ACT, and all other things necessary for a strong and brilliant Country!”
McConnell, 84, has held the seat since 1985. The former Senate Republican leader is forgoing reelection after having openly sparred with Trump since the president’s return to office.