{"id":2598395,"date":"2026-05-04T08:52:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T12:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-and-scott-follow-trumps-lead-with-endorsement-of-andy-barr\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T08:53:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T12:53:35","slug":"thune-and-scott-follow-trumps-lead-with-endorsement-of-andy-barr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-and-scott-follow-trumps-lead-with-endorsement-of-andy-barr\/","title":{"rendered":"Thune and Scott follow Trump\u2019s lead with endorsement of Andy Barr"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthune-and-scott-follow-trumps-lead-with-endorsement-of-andy-barr%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2598395&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune and sen. Tim Scott have endorsed Rep. Andy Barr to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell.Their backing follows President Donald Trump\u2019s endorsement of Barr in the GOP primary scheduled for May 19, after trump urged businessman Nate Morris to exit the race in exchange for a potential (unspecified) governance role; Morris later endorsed Barr.<\/p>\n<p>Thune praised Barr as a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >conservative leader prepared<\/a> to \u201chit the ground running,\u201d emphasizing Barr\u2019s strengths in financial services, national security, and energy policy. Scott framed his endorsement around economics, saying Barr will help deliver a \u201ctrump agenda\u201d and expand Republican Senate control.<\/p>\n<p>With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority and defending 22 seats in the midterms (35 Senate seats at stake overall), Barr enters the May contest with important momentum. He faces former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel cameron for the nomination in deep-red Kentucky.Cameron has also previously received Trump\u2019s endorsement in a Kentucky governor primary in 2023, which did not lead to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shutdown-fight-left-wing-democrats-take-a-tea-party-turn\/\" title=\"Shutdown fight: Left-wing Democrats take a tea party turn\">general-election win<\/a>. Late-March polling shows Barr leading Cameron by 7 points, up from 3 earlier in the year.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Senate Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"178\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-scott\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"521\">Tim Scott<\/a> (R-SC) endorsed Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/andy-barr\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"5085\">Andy Barr<\/a> (R-KY) to succeed Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mitch-mcconnell\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"436\">Mitch McConnell<\/a> (R-KY), who is retiring.<\/p>\n<p>The senators\u2019 endorsements follow President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>, who on Friday endorsed Barr in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-primary\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1924\">Republican primary<\/a> set for May 19. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4553090\/trump-disapproval-high-as-iran-war-cost-concerns-new-poll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump disapproval hits new high as cost concerns, Iran war continue: New poll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4551701\/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-ruling-2026-redistricting-impact\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Supreme Court scrambles 2026 maps, sets up larger redistricting fight beyond<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4551927\/biden-backs-keisha-lance-bottoms-georgia-governor-first-post-presidency-endorse\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Biden backs Keisha Lance Bottoms for Georgia governor in his first post-presidency endorsement<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Trump asked businessman Nate Morris to drop out of the race before endorsing Barr, offering Morris a role in the administration as an ambassador, but the president did not specify the exact post. Morris, who was backed by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1412\">Elon Musk<\/a>, subsequently endorsed Barr. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4460164\/trump-endorsement-tracker-gop-2026-election-primaries\/\"><strong>TRUMP ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE\u2019S WHO THE PRESIDENT HAS PICKED IN GOP MIDTERM ELECTION PRIMARIES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Thune touted Barr as a champion of conservative goals, citing several areas of his expertise as reason for the backing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAndy Barr is a proven leader who will hit the ground running on day one as Kentucly\u2019s next U.S. Senator,\u201d Thune said. \u201cAndy is a fighter for the conservative movement and will strengthen our Senate Republican majority with his expertise on financial services, national security, energy policy, and more.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Scott took an economic angle in his endorsement of Barr, adding that he will forward a \u201cTrump agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAndy Barr has been a conservative partner and ally in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/border-czar-harris-silent-as-title-42-expires\/\" title=\"&quot;Border Czar&quot; Harris Silent as Title 42 Expires\">advancing economic opportunity<\/a>,\u201d Scott said. \u201cI\u2019m excited to endorse Andy because he\u2019ll strengthen our Republican Senate Majority to deliver the Trump agenda and unleash economic prosperity.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The GOP holds a 53-47 majority in the chamber. Republicans will be defending 22 of those seats in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/history-repeats-itself-democrats-are-using-tactics-of-the-marxists-of-1917-in-russia-to-steal-2020-election\/\" title=\"History Repeats Itself: Democrats Are Using Tactics of the Marxists of 1917 in Russia to Steal 2020 Election\">midterm elections<\/a>, with a total of 35 Senate seats up for grabs in November. <\/p>\n<p>Barr is heading into the May primary election with a trove of endorsements, setting the stage for a competitive race as he takes on former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron for the GOP nomination in the deep-red state. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4552292\/trump-clears-field-andy-barr-kentucky-senate-race\/\"><strong>TRUMP CLEARS THE FIELD FOR ANDY BARR IN KENTUCKY SENATE RACE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cameron is familiar with the competition he is set to face, as he, too, received Trump\u2019s endorsement in the GOP primary for governor in 2023. Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) ultimately beat out Cameron in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/impossible-gop-picked-up-seats-in-house-picked-up-state-legislatures-picked-up-governorship-held-the-senate-but-sniffy-joe-won-not-a-chance\/\" title=\"IMPOSSIBLE: GOP Picked Up ... in House, Picked Up State Legislatures, Picked Up Governorship, Held the ...ate -- But Sniffy Joe Won?... NOT A CHANCE\">general election<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Polling from late March shows Barr with a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/emersoncollegepolling.com\/kentucky-2026-poll-barr-maintains-edge-in-gop-primary-as-booker-gains-among-democratic-voters\/\">7 percentage-point advantage<\/a> over Cameron, up from 3 percentage points earlier in the year. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senators Thune and Scott back Andy Barr to replace retiring McConnell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2598396,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP25290523246339.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[62154,6571,21510,5894,79054],"class_list":["post-2598395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-andy-barr","tag-elections","tag-endorsements","tag-politics","tag-united-states-congress-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP25290523246339.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2598395"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598395\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2598399,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2598395\/revisions\/2598399"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2598396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2598395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2598395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2598395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}