FRANKFORT — U.S. Rep. Andy Barr continues to hold a big fundraising lead in the hotly-contested primary battle among three top Republicans hoping to succeed longtime U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Andy Barr for Senate reports having nearly $6.7 million on hand at the beginning of the month, compared to $630,000 on hand for former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s campaign fund, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission.
Entrepreneur Nate Morris’ campaign reported having a bit over $1 million on hand, while three-fourths of the money taken in by Morris’ campaign came in a $3 million personal loan from Morris.
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While Barr has raised more money from individuals than his two rivals, reports reflect his big money lead is largely the result of the experience and connections he’s gained during 16 years representing Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District.
The foundation of his war chest is nearly $3.7 million he transferred from his old Andy Barr for Congress committee early this year when he announced he would run for U.S. Senate in 2026. Also, FEC reports show that Barr’s Senate campaign has raised more than $1.2 million from traditional political action committees, most of them based in Washington.
Morris has reported just $30,000 in contributions from political action committees (PAC) and Cameron just $1,000.
Meanwhile, any analysis of the money affecting this race must also consider the millions of dollars that are already being spent (with much more to come) by super PACs to support or attack the candidates.
Money isn’t everything
Stephen Voss, associate professor of political science at the University of Kentucky, cautioned against exaggerating the importance of money in this campaign ahead of the May primary. “Nate Morris and Andy Barr have spent a lot already,” but Cameron still has a solid lead in the polls due to his high name recognition statewide due to his successful race for attorney general in 2019 and his unsuccessful campaign for governor in 2023,” Voss said.
Cameron’s high name recognition, combined with a sufficient amount of money he will raise, makes him a viable candidate, Voss said. And Voss said Barr is viable because he has a brimming war chest to spread his name and message to Republican voters outside his congressional district.
Morris is more reliant on what all three candidates are desperately seeking, an endorsement from Republican President Donald Trump, Voss said.
“More important than all of the money is what Donald Trump decides,” Voss said.
Barr campaign spokesman Alex Bellizzi released a statement Monday that said in part, “Andy Barr is the only candidate to have won tough races and helped President Trump implement the America First agenda. Now Andy Barr is also the only candidate with the resources, grassroots support and momentum to put this Senate race away for Republicans.”
The Cameron campaign released a statement that read in part, “The real question is — do these other guys have enough to catch Daniel. He’s up 20 points in poll after poll … Voters matter most — and voters LOVE Daniel Cameron.”
Kentucky Lantern was unable to contact the Morris campaign.
Here’s a look at what reports filed this week with the FEC show:
Andy Barr for Senate Inc. – Barr started the recent quarter on July 1 with $6.1 million on hand. During the quarter he raised just over $1.8 million; of that $1.2 million came from individuals, $127,000 from traditional PACs, and about $450,000 in transfers from people and PACs who previously gave to a different Barr political committee.
Barr reported spending more than $1.2 million during the quarter. And on Oct. 1 his campaign reported having $6,686,700 on hand.
Cameron for Senate Inc. – Cameron began the quarter with about $532,000. During the quarter he raised $411,200 from individuals. His campaign spent more than $313,000 during the quarter. The campaign reported having $629,700 on hand at the start of this month.
Morris for Senate – Morris officially launched his campaign around July 1 and the report it filed this week is the first it has filed with the FEC. It shows Morris got nearly $1 million in contributions ($30,000 from PACs and the rest from people) during the quarter. Also, Morris loaned his campaign fund $3,027,000. As of Oct. 1, the report shows the Morris campaign has $1,070,400 on hand, but a debt of $3,027,000 owed to Morris.
The Democrats
As for the Democrats running in next May’s primary for U.S. Senate, Joel Willett, an Army veteran and former CIA officer, has the fundraising lead. Willett, who opened his campaign in September, reported raising $119,800, and he loaned his campaign $200,000. As of Oct. 1 his campaign reported having $315,200 on hand.
State Sen. Pamela Stevenson, of Louisville, who launched her campaign early this year, reported raising $41,600 and spending $65,400 during the recent quarter. Because she had cash on hand at the beginning of the quarter she was able to report a campaign balance of $24,900 as of Oct. 1.
Logan Forsythe, a lawyer and former Secret Service agent who started his campaign in September, reported raising $39,800 and spending $1,400, leaving a balance of $38,400 at the beginning of this month.
Amy McGrath, the former Navy pilot who has lost prior campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate, did not open her current campaign for the Senate until earlier this month and will not have to report any campaign finances until January.
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Written by Tom Loftus. Cross-posted from the Kentucky Lantern.
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