GOP Rep. Andy Barr to run for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat, though McConnell hasn't said he's retiring

Source: CBS News

Updated on: February 10, 2025 / 5:00 PM EST


A battle to replace Kentucky GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell is starting to shape up — even though the former majority leader hasn't announced that he's planning to leave the Senate.

Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr, who was in Palm Beach over the weekend during a Republican campaign retreat, intends to run in the 2026 Senate race for McConnell's seat, according to people who attended the event.

McConnell, who is serving his seventh term, has not yet disclosed plans to run for reelection, but he has repeatedly said that he intends to serve out his term, which ends in early 2027. Barr has privately said he wouldn't challenge McConnell in a primary if he were to decide to run again, two sources said. A GOP source said Barr is considered a top GOP recruit to run for McConnell's seat.

But there is a widespread belief in Washington and in the donor community that McConnell will retire, setting up a primary race for what's considered to be a "safe" seat for Republicans, people at the National Republican Senatorial Committee's winter retreat told CBS News, even as they expressed respect for McConnell.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/andy-barr-run-mitch-mcconnells-senate-seat/