President Donald Trump is endorsing a Republican congressman to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, while rejecting the self-styled “Make America Great Again” candidate backed by Elon Musk.
On Friday, Trump announced his endorsement of Rep. Andy Barr in the Kentucky Republican primary, shortly after Barr said he asked businessman Nate Morris to drop out of the race and take an unspecified role in the Trump administration.
The support gives Barr a huge boost to win the Republican nomination over former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in the deep red state.
“I know Andy well and he is always a vote we can count on because he knows how to get things done and make America great again!” Trump said on social media.
Trump said he invited Morris to serve as ambassador, but did not specify the specific diplomatic position, while praising him as a “strong MAGA warrior.”
“Nate is an Oxford-educated man with a strong character who loves our great country and will represent the United States well, overseas and elsewhere,” Trump said.
Morris endorsed Barr in a social media post and called on “all Kentuckians to unite behind our next senator.”
Morris is self-funding to remain financially competitive with Barr. But he did receive a significant investment from Elon Musk, who poured $10 million into his campaign, according to federal campaign finance records from earlier this year.
The primary was defined by Barr, Cameron and Morris, who sought to distance themselves from McConnell. McConnell, the top Republican in Kentucky, has emerged as an opponent of Trump and condemned the president’s Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
Kentucky Republican strategist Trace Watson said this strategy of moving away from McConnell illustrates the strength of Trump’s support in the state. He noted that Cameron — who won the 2023 Republican gubernatorial primary after receiving Trump’s endorsement — would be familiar with Trump’s gift to Barr.
“It was all over except for the yelling,” Watson said. “The endorsement of Donald Trump effectively ends the campaign and Andy Barr can begin to turn his attention to the general election.”
Barr’s allies celebrated Trump’s endorsement. Former Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer said it showed Barr had run a “perfect campaign” so far.
“I’m pleased that President Trump is endorsing Andy Barr,” Thayer said. “He likes to back the winner, and it was clear from the beginning that Andy had the ability to win the primary and general election and keep the seat for the Republican Party.”
Daniel Desrochers contributed to this report.
