Amy McGrath says anti-Trump verve, experience can fuel U.S. Senate bid
The Herald-Leader is profiling the major candidates for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Read the other profiles at Kentucky.com in coming days, and find more election stories in our Primary Voter Guide.
You’ve probably heard of Amy McGrath.
In 2018, she became a darling of Democrats in Kentucky and the U.S. when, with a compelling backstory as a U.S. Marine fighter pilot, she came close to defeating GOP 6th Congressional District Rep. Andy Barr. Then she raised a record amount of money in 2020 leading up to her 20-point loss to Sen. Mitch McConnell.
But this race to fill his seat is different for a lot of reasons, McGrath told the Herald-Leader.
For one, she says she’s got the political experience, and savvy, to actually flip a seat that a Democrat hasn’t come within single digits of winning since 2004.
“We want somebody who can speak to and listen to not just Democrats, but somebody that can also win the votes of moderates and independents,” McGrath said. “That’s how Andy Beshear won.”
McGrath has been running on an anti-Trump message, targeting what she sees as widespread corruption in the White House, while also asserting her electable bona fides — citing an outperformance of the top of the ticket, even in her 2020 loss.
The nay-saying about a third candidacy, she said, has mostly been coming from members of the media.
“It’s funny, (former governor) Steve Beshear ran many, many times before he won. And you know, I didn’t hear anybody say that about him ... It’s kind of whatever, you know. I’ve run for this seat before, and I have run for Congress before, and a couple of my fellow candidates, guess what? They have run and lost before, multiple times, even more than I have in many other ways,” McGrath said.
She sees the situational factors of an open seat and President Donald Trump’s sliding approval rating as reason to have hope in her bid.
McGrath on the Issues:
Affordability: McGrath said rising household costs are the dominant concern she hears from Kentuckians while campaigning across the state. “The average Kentucky family is spending an additional $5,000 more this year,” she said, blaming Republican economic policies, tariffs and rising health care costs. She’s said she will work to roll back tariffs and stand up to foreign interventions that she says are to blame for rising costs.
Healthcare: McGrath said Congress should restore Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid-related funding cuts implemented by the Trump-backed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” She also endorsed creating a “true public option” — a government-run insurance plan consumers could voluntarily purchase to compete against private insurers. “You should be able to buy the same kind of plan that my husband and I buy because we’re military retirees,” she said.
Government accountability: McGrath said she looks forward to tackling corruption in Washington headfirst. “People are tired of the president and his family making money off of the White House.” She also criticized congressional gridlock, gerrymandering disputes and unilateral military actions by presidents without congressional authorization.
Mental health & elder care: McGrath said the U.S. government should invest more heavily in mental health services and expand support for home health care for elderly Americans. “We talk about tackling mental health, and we do nothing,” she said.
Who is supporting McGrath’s bid?
McGrath has the backing of some elected officials both local and national. State representatives Chad Aull of Lexington and Mary Lou Marzian of Louisville have endorsed her, as has former state auditor and lieutenant governor Crit Luallen. McGrath also has the backing of newly-elected New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.
The Herald-Leader’s editorial board endorsed McGrath’s run for the nomination.
Why McGrath says she’s the best candidate for flip Kentucky blue:
McGrath says she’s the most experienced and most organized of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
She has not strayed from meat-and-potatoes Democratic issues like rolling back Trump era actions, but still focuses on electability over progressivism.
“I think most Democratic voters want to win. We can quibble about whether it’s public option or Medicaid or Medicare For All. We can argue internally about some of these issues. At the end of the day, we want a winner,” McGrath said.
Age: 50
City of residence: Fort Mitchell
Previous politics/government experience: Ran for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District (2018) and U.S. Senate (2020)
Professional background: Retired U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot, ran multiple political groups after 2020 loss.
Learn more: Amy McGrath U.S. Senate. She’s also on Facebook and Instagram.
Editor’s note: The Herald-Leader’s decision to endorse McGrath represented the consensus of the editorial board. The decision has no connection to the news coverage of political races and is wholly separate from journalists who cover those races.
