House Republican enters race for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat, setting up high-stakes GOP primary
Rep. Andy Barr is announcing his candidacy for Senate
By Elizabeth Elkind , Preston Mizell Fox News
Published April 22, 2025 3:17pm EDT
FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., is officially entering the race to replace longtime retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Barr, who has served in the House for over a decade, is expected to kick off his campaign in Richmond, Kentucky this evening.
He's also releasing a video to launch the campaign that paints him as a staunch ally of President Donald Trump and a fierce opponent of "woke" trends on diversity, transgender inclusion, and U.S. energy dominance.
"The United States is the greatest country on Earth, and it’s not even close. But here’s the problem. The woke left wants to neuter America – literally," the Kentucky Republican said in the video.
"They hate our values. They hate our history. And goodness knows they hate President Trump. But here in Kentucky, that’s why we love him. I’m Andy Barr, and I’m running for Senate to help our President save this great country."
His candidacy sets up a high-profile primary race against former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
In the video, Barr promised to "deport illegal aliens, instead of putting them up in luxury hotels," and "get rid of this anti-coal, do-gooder ESG garbage once and for all."
"Working with President Trump, I’ll fight to create jobs for hardworking Kentuckians, instead of warm and fuzzies for hardcore liberals," Barr said in the video. "And as a dad, let me be clear. I’ll fight to lock up the sickos who allow biological men to share locker rooms with our daughters."
His Senate campaign has also been blessed by House GOP leaders, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republican-enters-race-mitch-mcconnells-senate-seat-setting-up-high-stakes-gop-primary
