President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in the Republican U.S. Senate primary after asking Nate Morris to drop out of the race, promising him a role in his administration as an ambassador.
Calling Barr a “Proven Political Winner,” Trump said in a May 1 social media post that he’s backing Barr in the contentious primary because “he is always a Vote we can count on because he knows what it takes to GET THINGS DONE and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The primary is set for May 19. Barr had led in most recent polls, with a narrow edge over former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, while Morris had generally polled third but had significant support among some of the president’s most loyal followers.
In a statement from spokesperson Alex Bellizzi, Barr said he is “honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement.”
“Just like the President said at his Northern Kentucky rally in March, I’ve been with him all the way and I always will be,” Barr’s statement said. “As our next Senator, I’ll stand with President Trump 100% to deliver for Kentucky and to keep Making America Great Again.”
Describing Morris as a “terrific businessman and strong MAGA Warrior” in a separate May 1 post, Trump said he had asked Morris to leave the primary before making the endorsement. He said he’d offered the Lexington businessman and Rubicon Technologies an ambassadorship role but did not offer additional details.
“Nate is Oxford educated, tough as nails, LOVES our Great Nation, and will represent the United States very well, overseas, or otherwise,” Trump wrote. “He has a great future in politics, or anything else he chooses to do.”
Trump previously backed Cameron in the 2023 Republican gubernatorial primary — Cameron won that race but lost the general election to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and has struggled to match Barr and Morris’ fundraising.
In a statement provided by campaign spokesperson Conor McGuinness, Morris said he looks forward to taking on the new role.
“When President Trump asks you to serve your nation, you answer the call,” Morris said. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Trump Administration, representing Kentucky and America on the global stage and fighting for the America First agenda.”
Morris plans to endorse Barr in the race, McGuinness added.
The general election is set to take place in November. The winner will take the seat currently held by retiring U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has been in office since 1985.
This story will be updated.
Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Trump endorses Barr for US Senate after asking Morris to end campaign
Reporting by Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal / Louisville Courier Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
