President Donald Trump on Friday announced his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) in Kentucky’s tightly-contested Republican Senate primary. The endorsement comes after months of speculation centered on the primary, as three viable Republican candidates have been vying to replace the retiring Mitch McConnell.
The competitive race has featured three main candidates: former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, businessman Nate Morris and Rep. Barr. The May 19 primary has drawn national attention given the state’s heavy Republican lean, as the winner is heavily favored in the general election.
An Emerson College poll released April 2 found Barr at 28 percent support among likely Republican primary voters, Cameron at 21 percent, and Morris at 15 percent, with 29 percent undecided. Earlier surveys from February and March had shown a tighter contest or Cameron with a slight edge in some cases, but Barr had pulled ahead in the most recent independent polling.
On Friday, May 1, Trump made his long awaited endorsement in the race by backing Barr. In a Truth Social post, the president asked Morris to withdraw from the Senate primary and instead accept a position in the Trump administration as an ambassador.
Trump described Morris as “a terrific businessman and strong MAGA Warrior” who is “Oxford educated, tough as nails,” and well-suited to represent the United States. Morris — who had built up significant grassroots support, including an endorsement from the late Charlie Kirk and his Turning Point USA organization — soon accepted the offer and announced that he would be suspending his campaign.
Nate Morris speaking at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
Photo: Gage Skidmore
In a follow-up post, Trump confirmed that he would be endorsing Barr for the coveted seat. “Andy Barr has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky,” the president wrote.
Barr responded promptly with a statement accepting the endorsement. He said he was “honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement” and referenced Trump’s earlier comments from a March rally in Northern Kentucky.
“Just like the President said at his Northern Kentucky rally in March, I’ve been with him all the way and I always will be. As our next Senator, I’ll stand with President Trump 100% to deliver for Kentucky and to keep Making America Great Again,” Barr wrote in a post of his own.
.@NateMorris is an accomplished business leader and patriot who loves our commonwealth and our country. His passion for serving our fellow Kentuckians and his dedication to the MAGA movement made him a great candidate and will make him an incredible ambassador. I am grateful for… https://t.co/Oh1yKtPwLJ
— Andy Barr (@barrforsenate) May 1, 2026
Trump’s endorsement will almost certainly consolidate support behind Barr with less than three weeks until the primary. Barr, who represents Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, has emphasized his record of early support for Trump, including serving as chairman of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in Kentucky and his legislative work aligning with the administration’s priorities.
The president has also remained active in the primary race for the state’s 4th Congressional District, where Trump has endorsed retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein against longtime Rep. Thomas Massie.
