Daniel Cameron ahead in GOP Kentucky Senate primary polls despite raising fraction of rivals’ funds

.

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is consistently leading in GOP primary polling for the state’s 2026 Senate election despite raising far less than his other Republican opponents.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) is leading the pack in fundraising, raising over $1.3 million in the third quarter. Businessman Nate Morris trailed Barr, bringing in over $1.006 million in the reporting period. Cameron reported $411,224 in total contributions for the third quarter, raising less than half of what Morris reported and less than a third of what Barr reported.

Cameron’s financial woes don’t seem to have significantly affected the limited polling of the three candidates, however. Cameron has led the other candidates by double digits in recent polling.

An October internal poll commissioned by the Cameron campaign showed Cameron in the lead with 39% of likely Kentucky GOP voters, Barr at 22%, and Morris at 8%. A separate October poll commissioned by the Barr campaign also showed Cameron in the lead at 42%, Barr at 25%, and Morris at 10%.

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks at the annual Fancy Farm picnic
Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks at the annual Fancy Farm picnic on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, in Fancy Farm, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Cameron’s campaign told the Washington Examiner that his name recognition in Kentucky has boosted his popularity. The campaign’s internal poll showed him with a 56% favorability rating, double digits higher than that of Barr and Morris.

“Money is important, and we feel confident we will have plenty of resources to win in May from both our campaign and outside conservative groups supporting us,” the Cameron campaign said in a statement. “But if money was everything then Kamala Harris should be President and Amy McGrath should be an incumbent U.S. Senator. Voters matter most- and voters LOVE Daniel Cameron.”

The Barr campaign has used the polling to argue the GOP primary is a “two-man race” between Barr and Cameron, deeming Morris too many steps behind in the polls. However, both the Barr and Morris campaigns are saying money talks.

“Andy Barr is dominating this race,” Barr campaign spokesman Alex Bellizzi said. “He’s built an unmatched campaign operation with more than four times the cash on hand of his opponents — including 10 times more than his only real competitor, Daniel Cameron.”

Barr led the GOP primary contestants with over $6.6 million in cash on hand at the end of the third quarter. Morris had over $1 million, and Cameron had $629,748.

Morris gave seven separate loans to his own campaign, totaling just over $3 million since July, according to Federal Election Commission records.

“We’re not concerned with fake internal polls — Nate is going to spend whatever it takes to win this race,” Morris campaign spokesman Conor McGuinness said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “We’re just getting started.”

“It tells you everything you need to know that Andy Barr and Daniel Cameron have spent all their time, energy, and resources attacking Nate Morris from the minute he got into this race,” McGuinness said.

The attack ads in the race have been heated against the candidates as PACs throw their weight into the race to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and the three vie for a possible endorsement from President Donald Trump.

There is a fourth Republican candidate in the primary race, Michael Faris, though he was in a deficit with negative $15,902 cash on hand at the close of the third quarter.

MASSIE BRINGS IN RECORD-BREAKING FUNDRAISING HAUL AFTER BUCKING TRUMP

Of the five blue candidates registered with the FEC for the Democratic primary, only one has filed her third quarter report as of Thursday, according to the FEC website. State Rep. Pamela Stevenson reported raising $41,621 and having $23,863 in cash on hand.

The primary elections in Kentucky are set for May 19, 2026, and the general election will be held on Nov. 3, 2026.

Related Content