Everything is coming up Andy Barr in the Kentucky Senate race. Rep. Andy Barr (R., Ky.), a steadfast Trump loyalist in Congress, scooped up endorsements from President Donald Trump, Sens. John Thune (R., S.D.), Tim Scott (R., S.C.), and Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), as well as from one of his own former primary opponents.
For weeks, Kentucky political operatives have told the Washington Reporter that Trump was angling towards endorsing Barr, who chaired the president’s campaign in Kentucky, following months of headlines about his leads in both polls and in fundraising.
Barr, Trump said, is a “proven political winner,” and he offered him his “Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky” in a Truth Social post that went live shortly before the Kentucky Derby.
“I Endorsed Andy years ago, in his first Race, and all others, for Congress, and he never let me down,” Trump wrote. “In the Senate, Andy will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Champion the Interests of our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Safeguard our Elections, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Andy is the only Candidate who will easily defeat the Democrat in what will be one of the most important Elections in American History.”
Trump’s final point comes as a relief to Republicans, who will be eager to avoid spending any money in Kentucky, as Democrats work to expand the Senate map into other red states like Alaska.
A trio of Senate Republicans — Thune, Scott, and Cotton — who are working overtime to expand the GOP’s majority, immediately followed Trump’s lead and backed Barr, even though Kentucky’s former attorney general, Daniel Cameron, remains in the race.
“Andy Barr is a proven leader who will hit the ground running on day one as Kentucky’s next U.S. senator,” Thune said. “Andy is a fighter for the conservative movement and will strengthen our Senate Republican majority with his expertise on financial services, national security, energy policy, and more.”
Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), added that “Andy Barr has been a conservative partner and ally in advancing economic opportunity.” Scott added that he is “excited to endorse Andy because he’ll strengthen our Republican Senate Majority to deliver the Trump agenda and unleash economic prosperity.”
Cotton, who has repeatedly teamed up with Barr on bicameral legislation, sounded excited to welcome Barr to the Senate next year, endorsing him and calling him “a strong conservative—tough on illegal immigration, tough on crime, and a leader against the radical left’s agenda.”
The House GOP’s Majority Leader, Rep. Steve Scalise (R., La.), continued the Barr momentum, saying ahead of the weekend’s big Kentucky race that
“If you’re placing your bets this Derby weekend, take [Trump’s] lead and back Andy Barr for U.S. Senate,” Scalise said. “Andy has always been a strong defender of the America First agenda. Kentucky is lucky to have a patriot like him representing the Commonwealth in the House — and soon, in the Senate.”
Barr also continued the momentum on the homefront, rolling out endorsements from several of his colleagues and even from one of his now-former opponents.
Days before Trump officially backed Barr, he announced that he will appoint Nate Morris, one of Barr’s two leading primary opponents, as an ambassador. Trump called Morris “a terrific businessman and strong MAGA Warrior.”
“Andy knows what it takes to get things done and deliver BIG for the America First agenda,” Morris wrote, following Trump’s lead. “It’s time for all Kentuckians to rally behind our next Senator, Andy Barr!”
Other Kentuckians who quickly consolidated behind Barr were Rep. Brett Guthrie (R., Ky.), the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Joe and Kelly Craft.