WASHINGTON—Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) on April 22 announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate election in Kentucky in 2026, for the seat currently held by senior Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the former leader of the Senate Republican Conference.
McConnell, 83, served as the leader of Senate Republicans for 18 years from 2007 to 2025, during which time he served as the Senate Majority Leader for six years, from 2015 to 2021 and as Minority Leader for the remainder.
His long tenure at the helm of the conference involved many critical moments for the Senate GOP, including the nominations of three Supreme Court justices and legislation during President Donald Trump’s first term in office. His relationship with Trump has soured in recent years, and he announced on Feb. 20 that he would retire at the end of the 119th Congress after 42 years in office….