President Donald Trump gave his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in a post on Truth Social Friday.
Following the news of the endorsement, Lexington businessman Nate Morris dropped out of the race. He posted on X he was endorsing Barr — after the two have traded jabs in debates, ads and on the campaign trail.
“Andy is the only Candidate who will easily defeat the Democrat in what will be one of the most important Elections in American History,” Trump said. “He will help ensure Victory against these Radical Left, Country Destroying, THUGS. Andy Barr has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Barr thanked the president in a statement.
“Just like the President said at his Northern Kentucky rally in March, I’ve been with him all the way and I always will be,” referring to Trump’s March event in Hebron. “As our next Senator, I’ll stand with President Trump 100% to deliver for Kentucky and to keep Making America Great Again.”
Barr has been facing off against former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Morris in a heated Republican primary race for the seat, which is currently held by longtime U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. The senator said early last year he would not seek reelection.
Before endorsing Barr, Trump said on Truth Social he would make Morris an ambassador and said that he would “be announcing Nate’s new role soon.”
“I’m incredibly proud to join President Trump in endorsing @BarrForSenate,” Morris said. “Like President Trump said, Andy knows what it takes to get things done and deliver BIG for the America First agenda.”
Barr thanked Morris in a statement, calling him an “an accomplished business leader and patriot who loves our commonwealth and our country” and said he looks “forward to continuing to work with him to do everything we can to make Kentucky, and America, even greater.”
Trump’s endorsement comes after the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that Trump was considering endorsing Barr.
The top three GOP candidates had spent most of their campaign so far trying to tie themselves closer to the president and his policies, hoping Kentucky Republican voters would rally behind them and ultimately elect them in the primary, which is on May 19.
Trump also endorsed a candidate for Barr’s congressional seat in the state’s central 6th district — Ralph Alvarado, a former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health and a former Kentucky state senator. Alvarado is currently facing a Republican primary there against state Rep. Ryan Dotson and retired pharmaceutical executive Greg Plucinski.
Calling Alvarado a “true friend to MAGA,” Trump said on Truth Social that Alvarado had “BEEN WITH US FROM THE VERY BEGINNING!”