Trump-Backed Andy Barr Wins GOP Nomination in Kentucky Senate Race to Replace McConnell

The election marks the first open primary for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1972.

Kentucky U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) alongside wife Davis Barr speaks to media after casting his primary ballot at Centenary Church in Lexington, Ky., on May 19, 2026. Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) will face former Democratic state Rep. Charles Booker in the race to replace outgoing Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in the U.S. Senate.

The Associated Press called the Republican primary race for Barr at 7 p.m. ET, an hour after polls closed. Barr won with 60.5 percent of the vote to 30.8 percent for the next closest rival, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.