Trump ally Andy Barr wins KY race to replace Mitch McConnell
Barr began his career as part of the Tea Party takeover in 2012 and was a vocal critic of then-President Barack Obama.
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Barr began his career as part of the Tea Party takeover in 2012 and was a vocal critic of then-President Barack Obama.
Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s hand-picked replacement, Rep. Andy Barr, cruised to victory in Kentucky, defeating Democrat state Rep. Charles Booker with just over 80 percent of the votes in showing a roughly 10-point advantage, the New York Times reported.
A former intern for McConnell, Barr first became a congressman in 2012, becoming a vocal critic of then-President Barack Obama as part of the “tea party” midterm that saw Republicans retake Congress.
However, he was likely to enter the Senate under vastly different circumstances, with Democrats showing a commanding advantage in many key battleground races that could allow them to regain control after four years of Republican leadership.
Despite President Donald Trump’s sometimes acrimonious relationship with McConnell, he was optimistic that Barr would be a valuable ally.
“I know Andy well, and he is always a Vote we can count on because he knows what it takes to GET THINGS DONE and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote in a May endorsement via Truth Social.
“Andy Barr is a Strong Supporter of TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER, before the Democrats do it (which they will, on Day One, if they get control of the U.S. Senate!),” Trump added. “He will do everything in his power to get it done.”
Barr is almost certain to reverse his stance on the filibuster if Democrats do regain control.
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