Rep. Andy Barr, left, R-Ky., said "it's time" for his state to have a senator who supports President Donald Trump. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Scott Eisen)
But Barr said that "ultimately, this is going to be a family decision on our timeline."
"It will be a decision that we make independent of the decisions that others make, including Sen. McConnell, or others who have or will express an interest in running for the Senate in 2026, so this will be a family decision that we make," Barr said. "All I can say is, I am very, very grateful for the outpouring of support, mainly from Kentuckians, but people around the country who want to see strong, America First leadership in the U.S. Senate."
Sources close to Barr told Fox News Digital back in 2023 that he could be "a serious contender" for McConnell's seat in 2026.
Rep. Andy Barr’s decision on whether to run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky will be made "independent of the decisions that others make, including Sen. Mitch McConnell," he said. (Fox News)
MITCH MCCONNELL STEPS DOWN AS REPUBLICAN LEADER
When asked for comment, a McConnell aide told Fox News Digital that the senator has not made an announcement on his 2026 plans.
McConnell, who will turn 83 later in February, stepped away from serving as the Senate Republican leader in November 2024. McConnell was the longest-serving party leader in U.S. Senate history.
Meanwhile, Barr told Fox News Digital, "I’m my own man."
"People try to peg me as this type of Republican or that type of Republican, but at the end of it, I’m an America First conservative who loves my home state, the commonwealth of Kentucky," he said.
"I think what sets me apart is that nobody else looking at the race has been in the trenches on the job with President Trump to drain the swamp," he continued. "I’ve got a proven record, and I think that does differentiate me from anyone else."
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But Barr stressed that his decision on whether to run for the U.S. Senate "is not dependent on anybody else."
"I’m just going to remain focused on working with President Trump and working with his team to deliver on his America First agenda — we don’t have any time to waste," Barr told Fox News Digital. "And so that’s my focus right now."
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/andy-barr-says-decision-run-senate-independent-whether-mcconnell-runs