Rep. Andy Barr is running for the Senate seat being vacated by longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell. (AP/Getty)
"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."
His candidacy sets up a high-profile primary race against former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
In the video, Barr promised to "deport illegal aliens, instead of putting them up in luxury hotels," and "get rid of this anti-coal, do-gooder ESG garbage once and for all."
"Working with President Trump, I’ll fight to create jobs for hardworking Kentuckians, instead of warm and fuzzies for hardcore liberals," Barr said in the video. "And as a dad, let me be clear. I’ll fight to lock up the sickos who allow biological men to share locker rooms with our daughters."
His Senate campaign has also been blessed by House GOP leaders, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.
SENATE GOP PUSHES TRUMP BUDGET FRAMEWORK THROUGH AFTER MARATHON VOTE SERIES
Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is also running for the Senate seat. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
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McConnell also opposed Trump's Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Barr and Cameron's campaigns are a stark departure from that – both have painted themselves as staunch Trump allies.
Kentucky businessman Nate Morris is also expected to announce a Republican bid for the seat.
And in Kentucky, where Trump outran former Vice President Kamala Harris by roughly 30%, the president's endorsement will likely prove decisive.
When reached for comment on Barr's campaign, Cameron's campaign general consultant Brandon Moody hammered the House lawmaker.
"The great Andy Barr re-brand is on as he now will try and convince Kentucky he's actually conservative and MAGA. He's not. Voters know he went Washington and sold out Kentucky long ago," Moody said.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republican-enters-race-mitch-mcconnells-senate-seat-setting-up-high-stakes-gop-primary