Scramble For Mcconnell's Senate Seat Underway With Signs Of A Bruising Gop Primary Ahead

The scramble to fill Mitch McConnell's Senate seat in Kentucky began as soon as the long-serving Republican lawmaker revealed he won't seek reelection in 2026.

Former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron jumped into the campaign Thursday, looking for a political comeback after losing his bid for governor in 2023. Elsewhere in the GOP, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr signaled he would announce his plans soon and said he's been encouraged by his support as he considers a Senate run. Businessman Nate Morris has signaled his strong interest in the Senate race, too.

Another prominent Kentucky Republican, U.S. Rep. James Comer, will not run for the Senate next year but is 'strongly considering" a run for governor in 2027, a Comer spokesman said.

Although the prize is a Senate seat that will be open for the first time in more than 40 years, leading Kentucky Democrats did not rush to embrace the challenge in a state that has turned solidly Republican in recent years. The two Democrats holding statewide office - Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman - signaled Thursday that they won't enter the Senate race.

McConnell announced to his Senate colleagues on Thursday that he will retire when his current seventh term ends.