Republished by Staff Reporter | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate
By Kentucky Lantern – Republished with permission under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Original article at Kentucky Lantern.
Republican hopefuls vying to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell used the state GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Lexington to sharpen their messages ahead of the May primary — a race that will help determine Kentucky’s voice in Washington for years to come.
For Pulaski County voters, the contest carries weight. Whoever wins in November 2026 will influence federal policies affecting rural infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing — all critical to the region’s economy.
Top contenders include former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, Lexington businessman Nate Morris, and Elizabethtown businessman Michael Farris.
Image by Tara Winsted | Pexels
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Nate Morris pledged to serve no more than two terms, called for term limits, and advocated a “full moratorium” on immigration after deporting people in the U.S. without legal status.
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Daniel Cameron emphasized his record as attorney general and opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and transgender women competing in female sports.
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Andy Barr highlighted his legislative record supporting former President Donald Trump’s policies, recent legislation to bar transgender women and girls from female sports, and Apple’s planned expansion of glass production in Harrodsburg — which could signal broader manufacturing investment in Kentucky.
While the evening featured praise for McConnell from many speakers, the primary also exposed divisions in the party, with candidates staking out different visions for the GOP’s future.
The outcome of this race will help define Kentucky’s role in shaping national policy — and for communities like ours, that means decisions in Washington on economic growth, workforce needs, and social policy.