Battle to Replace McConnell Intensifies Amid Unexpected Rift in Trump’s Inner Circle
The race to replace retiring Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is intensifying, and former President Donald Trump is quietly maneuvering to ensure one of his loyalists claims the powerful seat. But growing unease within Trump’s orbit over Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), a leading contender, has thrown an unexpected wrinkle into the contest.
Although Barr voted against Trump’s second impeachment in 2021, questions have resurfaced about his political loyalties. Critics inside Trump’s camp have zeroed in on Barr’s financial backing of four House Republicans—Anthony Gonzalez, John Katko, David Valadao, and Jaime Herrera Beutler—who voted to impeach the former president following the January 6 Capitol riot.
Those contributions, made through Barr’s leadership PAC, have fueled skepticism about whether he would stand firmly with Trump during moments of political turbulence. One Trump adviser described Barr’s donations as “a slap in the face,” while others have branded him a “McConnell protégé,” suggesting his loyalties may align more with the outgoing Senate leader than with the Trump-aligned populist wing of the party.
Barr faces stiff competition from two other Kentucky Republicans: former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris. Cameron, once a rising GOP star and a protégé of McConnell himself, suffered a bruising defeat in the 2023 gubernatorial race despite Trump’s endorsement. Morris, meanwhile, has faced scrutiny for contributing to Nikki Haley shortly before she launched her 2024 primary challenge against Trump.
Barr’s campaign has pushed back forcefully against the criticism, insisting he remains a steadfast supporter of the former president. A spokesperson emphasized Barr’s long record of promoting Republican unity, noting that his PAC has issued hundreds of donations to strengthen GOP candidates nationwide. They also pointed to Trump’s previous public praise of Barr, while casting doubts on Morris’s conservative credentials given his past donations and business dealings.
With Trump maintaining overwhelming popularity in Kentucky—where he won by more than 30 points—his eventual endorsement is expected to play a decisive role in determining McConnell’s successor. Beyond Kentucky, the race is being closely watched as a bellwether for the post-McConnell GOP, testing whether Trump’s influence continues to define Republican leadership in Washington or if the party begins to drift toward a new era.