Trump-backed Republican Rep. Andy Barr defeated Democrat Charles Booker in Kentucky's Senate race on Tuesday, securing the seat being vacated by Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Associated Press projected.
The AP called the race at 9:16 p.m. Eastern with Barr leading Booker 53.6% to 44.2% with 72% of the vote counted. Barr has represented Kentucky in the House since 2013. Booker, a progressive who lost to Sen. Rand Paul in 2022, was a candidate in the race.
McConnell, 84, has held the seat since 1985. The former Senate Republican leader is forgoing reelection after openly sparring with Trump since the president's return to office.
Trump endorsed Barr ahead of the state's Senate primary in May and worked to clear the field, persuading businessman Nate Morris to withdraw in favor of a political appointment. "I know Andy well, and he is always a Vote we can count on because he knows what it takes to GET THINGS DONE and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I Endorsed Andy years ago, in his first Race, and all others, for Congress, and he never let me down. He is a 100% solid American Patriot!"
Trump won Kentucky by 31 percentage points over then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Barr's win fills a seat McConnell has held since 1985, marking a generational change in Kentucky's Senate representation.
- The race underscores Trump's continued influence in Republican primaries, including his role in persuading a rival candidate to drop out.
- Kentucky remains strongly Republican territory, with Trump carrying the state by 31 points in 2024.
Background
McConnell, a former Senate Republican leader, has held the seat since 1985 and is leaving office after openly clashing with Trump. Barr, a House member since 2013, now steps into that seat with Trump's backing.
What to Watch
- The final margin as the remaining votes are counted.
- When Barr is sworn in and takes office in the new Congress.
- How the Kentucky result factors into the overall Senate majority as other races are called.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAndy Barr won the Kentucky Senate race to succeed Mitch McConnell.Washington Examiner: “Andy Barr wins Kentucky Senate race to succeed Mitch McConnell.”
- SupportedTrump-backed Republican Andy Barr defeated Democrat Charles Booker in the race, and the seat is being vacated by McConnell.Washington Examiner: “Trump-backed Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) beat Democrat Charles Booker on Tuesday in the Senate race to replace outgoing Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).”
- SupportedThe AP called the race with Barr at 53.6% and Booker at 44.2%, with 72% of the vote counted.Washington Examiner: “The Associated Press called the race at 9:16 p.m. Eastern, with Barr leading Booker 53.6%-44.2% with 72% of the vote counted.”
- SupportedBarr has represented Kentucky in the House since 2013.Washington Examiner: “Barr, who has served in the House since 2013”
- SupportedBooker is a progressive who lost to Sen. Rand Paul in 2022.Washington Examiner: “defeated Booker, a perennial progressive candidate who lost to Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) in 2022.”
- SupportedMcConnell is 84 and has held the seat since 1985.Washington Examiner: “McConnell, 84, has held the seat since 1985.”
- SupportedMcConnell is the former Senate Republican leader and is forgoing reelection after openly sparring with Trump since Trump returned to office.Washington Examiner: “The former Senate Republican leader is forgoing reelection after having openly sparred with Trump since the president’s return to office.”
- SupportedTrump endorsed Barr ahead of the Kentucky Senate primary in May and worked to clear the field by persuading Nate Morris to withdraw in favor of a political appointment.Washington Examiner: “the president also worked to clear the field for his chosen candidate by getting businessman Nate Morris to withdraw in favor of a political appointment.”
- SupportedTrump wrote, “I know Andy well, and he is always a Vote we can count on because he knows what it takes to GET THINGS DONE and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” on Truth Social.Washington Examiner: ““I know Andy well, and he is always a Vote we can count on because he knows what it takes to GET THINGS DONE and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in endorsing Barr.”
- Partly supportedTrump wrote, “I Endorsed Andy years ago, in his first Race, and all others, for Congress, and he never let me down. He is a 100% solid American Patriot!”Washington Examiner: ““I Endorsed Andy years ago, in his first Race, and all others, for Congress, and he never let me down — He is a 100% solid American Patriot!””
- SupportedTrump won Kentucky by 31 percentage points over then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.Washington Examiner: “Trump won Kentucky by 31 percentage points over then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.”