Trump endorses Andy Barr for Kentucky US Senate over Daniel Cameron
President Donald Trump has endorsed longtime Central Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr in this year’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
Trump announced the move in a post to his Truth Social network Friday evening.
“Andy is the only Candidate who will easily defeat the Democrat in what will be one of the most important Elections in American History. He will help ensure Victory against these Radical Left, Country Destroying, THUGS. Andy Barr has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN,” Trump wrote.
Barr is one of several candidates who had lined up to replace longtime U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, who is not seeking reelection this year. Trump called Barr a “Proven Political Winner,” in his endorsement message.
He was considered one of three leading candidates alongside Lexington businessman Nate Morris and former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron before Trump posted moments before his endorsement message that he’d asked Morris to step aside and take an ambassador role in the administration.
Moments after Trump’s message, Morris endorsed Barr.
Cameron’s general consultant, Brandon Moody, responded with a brief statement.
“Congrats to Mitch McConnell for getting his guy,” Moody wrote.
Moody also confirmed Cameron will remain in the race.
Cameron was once seen as McConnell’s protégé, but the relationship had soured since Cameron launched his race for U.S. Senate in early 2025. Many donors connected to McConnell have supported Barr in his run; meanwhile, Cameron has received endorsements from close allies of Sen. Rand Paul, one of few GOP critics of Trump in Congress.
Many in Kentucky see Trump’s endorsement as a golden ticket to the nomination. Though Trump’s approval rating is sliding across the country, he won the state by more than 30 points in his 2024 matchup against former Vice President Kamala Harris.
A spokesperson for Cameron did not immediately respond to the news when asked Friday evening.
Cameron was the beneficiary of an early Trump endorsement in his 2023 run for governor, when he glided to the nomination but ultimately lost to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
Trump did not mention Cameron in his endorsement message. He praised Barr, saying he would get rid of the filibuster, which often allows the minority party to block legislation in the Senate without a 60-vote majority.
“He will do everything in his power to get it done. It is desperately needed by the Republican Party to pass the SAVE AMERICA ACT, and all other things necessary for a strong and brilliant Country! 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,” Trump wrote.
Morris’ endorsement of Barr comes after months of an ad slugfest on Kentucky television. A group supporting Barr regularly aired ads claiming Morris was “fully woke” and “full of sh*t.” Political action committees backing Morris dubbed Barr “Amnesty Andy” for allegedly weak positions on undocumented immigration.
“I’m incredibly proud to join President Trump in endorsing Andy Barr for U.S. Senate. Like President Trump said, Andy knows what it takes to get things done and deliver BIG for the America First agenda. It’s time for all Kentuckians to rally behind our next Senator, Andy Barr,” Morris wrote in a statement.
Barr called Morris a friend in a statement of his own.
“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 Nate’s friendship and I look forward to continuing to work with him to do everything we can to make Kentucky, and America, even greater,” said Andy Barr.
Barr and groups supporting him regularly worked to tie themselves to Trump in ads. The few clips of Trump uttering Barr’s name were highlighted often in ads on streaming, cable and broadcast television.
The Barr team’s television ad campaign has been the most voluminous of any candidate in Kentucky this year. He’s raised the most money of any candidate, even considering that Morris loaned his campaign more than $4.8 million.
As of March 31, Barr had $4.1 million on hand compared to Cameron’s $765,000.
Cameron’s fundraising has lagged throughout the campaign, but he maintains high name ID in the state; though Barr is well-known in his native Lexington area, Cameron is the only candidate who has run and won statewide before.
This story was updated with additional information.
This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 7:21 PM.
