U.S. Rep. Andy Barr defeated former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in Tuesday’s crowded Republican Senate primary, buoyed by a late endorsement from President Donald Trump in the race to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Barr, who is seeking a promotion to the Senate after serving seven terms in the House, said Trump’s endorsement earlier this month dramatically changed the trajectory of the race.
Barr said during a campaign event Monday, “Our lead has skyrocketed since then (Trump's endorsement) in the polling that we’re looking at, but we don’t take anything for granted.”
The primary became the latest example of Trump’s continued influence within the Republican Party, as candidates across Kentucky competed for the president’s support and alignment with his agenda.
Barr’s victory over Cameron and the rest of the GOP field marks a significant political moment in Kentucky, where McConnell’s retirement is closing a decades-long chapter in state and national Republican politics. While both Barr and Cameron praised McConnell’s legacy at times during the campaign, each also worked to position themselves closer to Trump and the party’s staunch supporters
Trump’s endorsement helped Barr consolidate support in the final stretch of the race and reinforced his standing as the front-runner heading into Election Day.
Barr now advances to the general election in November as Republicans aim to hold the Senate seat in a state that has consistently backed GOP candidates in recent federal elections.
