Kentucky GOP Rep. Andy Barr on Tuesday announced his bid to replace retiring former Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell in the upper chamber next year.

McConnell announced his retirement in February, stating he will not seek reelection in 2026, and will thereby end a more than 40-year career in the upper chamber. The Republican is the longest-serving Kentucky senator in state history, and the longest-serving Senate leader in history.

Barr, who has served in the House for more than a decade, formally entered the race in a campaign video where he highlighted his support of President Donald Trump and his policies. Trump won Kentucky by 30 points in 2024.

"The United States is the greatest country on Earth, and it’s not even close. But here’s the problem. The woke left wants to neuter America – literally," Barr said in the video, which was first reported by Fox News. "They hate our values. They hate our history. And goodness knows they hate President Trump. But here in Kentucky, that’s why we love him. I’m Andy Barr, and I’m running for Senate to help our President save this great country."

Barr promised to work with the Trump administration to deport illegal migrants, keep biological men out of women's locker rooms and sports, and work to bring jobs back to Kentucky.

The lawmaker is now the second high-profile Republican to enter the race. Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has also declared his candidacy. 

Barr's campaign has been endorsed by House GOP leadership, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik. 

"There is no bigger supporter of President Donald J. Trump and our MAGA movement than my dear friend Andy Barr," Scalise told Fox News. "I am all-in for Andy in his campaign for the US Senate — proud to support him."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.