Mitch McConnell

The president also asked one of Barr’s rivals to drop out of the Republican primary, reshaping the race. The winner of the GOP primary is likely to succeed McConnell in a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1992.

May 1, 2026 at 10:55 p.m. EDT24 minutes ago

President Donald Trump on Friday endorsed Rep. Andy Barr (R-Kentucky) to succeed Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is not running for reelection after more than four decades in the Senate.

Trump’s endorsement upends a competitive Senate contest weeks ahead of the May 19 primary.