EXCLUSIVE: Republican Rep. Andy Barr’s resolution on whether or not to run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky might be made “unbiased of the choices that others make, together with Sen. Mitch McConnell,” he advised Fox Information Digital in an unique interview Friday morning, stressing that “it’s time for Kentucky to have a U.S. senator who helps President Trump.”
The congressman, who at present represents Kentucky’s sixth congressional district, advised Fox Information Digital that he’s “doing loads of listening proper now.”
“I’m listening to supporters, advisors, pals, individuals I belief, however most significantly, I’m listening to my household and speaking to my household, and I’m grateful for the sturdy encouragement to run,” he stated. “A number of constituents are encouraging me to run for the Senate, and I’m grateful for the outpouring of economic help that’s coming my method.”
Rep. Andy Barr, left, R-Ky., stated “it is time” for his state to have a senator who helps President Donald Trump. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc/Scott Eisen)
However Barr stated that “finally, that is going to be a household resolution on our timeline.”
“It will likely be a choice that we make unbiased of the choices that others make, together with Sen. McConnell, or others who’ve or will specific an curiosity in working for the Senate in 2026, so this might be a household resolution that we make,” Barr stated. “All I can say is, I’m very, very grateful for the outpouring of help, primarily from Kentuckians, however individuals across the nation who need to see sturdy, America First management within the U.S. Senate.”
Sources near Barr advised Fox News Digital back in 2023 that he may very well be “a critical contender” for McConnell’s seat in 2026.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was the longest-serving get together chief in U.S. Senate historical past. (J. Scott Applewhite/The Related Press)
In a veiled swipe at McConnell, Barr advised Fox Information Digital that “it’s time for Kentucky to have a U.S. senator who helps President Trump.”
McConnell, at this level, has now opposed three of Trump’s now-confirmed Cupboard secretaries: Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth, Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“He votes in opposition to virtually the whole lot now,” the president stated of McConnell on Thursday. “He’s a, you understand, very bitter man.”
Trump additionally stated McConnell is “not geared up mentally” and stated he “let the Republican Social gathering go to hell.”
Barr doubled down, saying: “I believe it’s time for Kentucky to have a U.S. senator who has a imaginative and prescient, not solely to make America nice once more, however to make Kentucky nice once more, and I believe that’s why lots of people have inspired me to run,” Barr stated. “They see me as somebody who has been, and has a confirmed report of, supporting President Trump’s America First agenda, but additionally a really sturdy report of supporting the signature industries of Kentucky and constructing a really sturdy report of constituent providers and accessibility to the individuals of Kentucky.”
He added, “I’ve a imaginative and prescient for Kentucky, identical to America, to be nice once more. I’ve a imaginative and prescient for Kentuckians to realize their potential and to revive the American Dream for Kentuckians.”
Barr stated he believes the state has “monumental potential” and stated that “with sturdy partnership with President Trump, we are able to ship simply extraordinary potentialities for the individuals of Kentucky.”
Rep. Andy Barr’s resolution on whether or not to run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky might be made “unbiased of the choices that others make, together with Sen. Mitch McConnell,” he stated. (Fox Information)
MITCH MCCONNELL STEPS DOWN AS REPUBLICAN LEADER
When requested for remark, a McConnell aide advised Fox Information Digital that the senator has not made an announcement on his 2026 plans.
McConnell, who will flip 83 later in February, stepped away from serving because the Senate Republican chief in November 2024. McConnell was the longest-serving get together chief in U.S. Senate historical past.
In the meantime, Barr advised Fox Information Digital, “I’m my very own man.”
“Folks attempt to peg me as one of these Republican or that sort of Republican, however on the finish of it, I’m an America First conservative who loves my dwelling state, the commonwealth of Kentucky,” he stated.
“I believe what units me aside is that no one else wanting on the race has been within the trenches on the job with President Trump to empty the swamp,” he continued. “I’ve received a confirmed report, and I believe that does differentiate me from anybody else.”
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However Barr confused that his resolution on whether or not to run for the U.S. Senate “isn’t depending on anyone else.”
“I’m simply going to stay centered on working with President Trump and dealing along with his crew to ship on his America First agenda — we don’t have any time to waste,” Barr advised Fox Information Digital. “And in order that’s my focus proper now.”
