Andy Barr wins Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Kentucky

Andy Barr wins the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, according to The Associated Press.

Barr spoke in Paducah several times during the campaign, including just over a week ago at a forum hosted by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. At that forum, Barr said he believes he can hit the ground running, having already established relationships in Washington. As a current member of the House of Representatives, Barr said he knows the job because he’s doing the job. He said he would like to deliver for western Kentucky the way he has for central Kentucky.

Barr called Kentucky an energy juggernaut, noting not only Kentucky’s coal industry, but also highlighting hydro, natural gas, and nuclear, and said all will be needed to meet growing demand for electricity. Barr said he had toured the Shawnee power plant, mentioning that it had been spared from shutdown, unlike others in the fossil fleet of power generation facilities.

Barr defeated former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in what had been a three-way battle before Lexington businessman Nate Morris stepped aside at the request of President Trump. Nine others entered the fray, but none gained the traction of the top three.