A new advertisement for the Republican primary concerning Kentucky’s open Senate seat has branded U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) as “Mitch McConnell’s replacement” while also accusing him of past support for amnesty for undocumented immigrants.
This ad, launched by the Club for Growth’s Win It Back PAC, aired on TV stations throughout Kentucky. It claims, “Andy Barr was a substitute for Mitch McConnell,” pointing out his previous attempts to push for amnesty measures for undocumented immigrants, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
In the ad, Barr is heard stating, “This is my leader, Leader Mitch McConnell.” The advertisement asserts, “Mr. Barr followed in his footsteps,” specifically mentioning McConnell’s support for granting amnesty to almost 2 million undocumented immigrants. It features Barr discussing his vote for a bill that aimed to legalize DACA recipients, offering them protection from deportation.
Barr has also been an advocate for guest worker visa programs, going so far as to label critics of these programs as “xenophobic.”
He emphasized, “Our agriculture sector and Kentucky’s hospitality industry definitely require legal workers. The wonderful aspect of the president’s measures to secure our borders is that they enable us to simplify our overly bureaucratic legal guest worker system so our industries can have the workforce they need,” during an interview while President Donald Trump was in office.
Some of these immigrant advocates are, in fact, at odds with Kentucky’s agricultural sector. While we are a nation of immigrants, we also have to adhere to laws. I’m proud to support President Trump in these initiatives to secure our borders and bolster the agriculture and hospitality sectors.
Recently, financial connections between Barr and various pro-amnesty Republicans have come to light, particularly relating to Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), who has sponsored the Dignity Act, which suggests broad amnesty for undocumented immigrants.
Barr’s Leadership PAC has donated $10,500 to Salazar’s congressional campaign since 2020.
His stance on immigration sharply contrasts with that of Nate Morris, another prominent Republican contender, who advocates for a complete freeze on immigration until every undocumented immigrant is deported.
Morris stated in his advertisement, “I’m frustrated by seeing elites provide benefits to undocumented immigrants while working-class families are left struggling. I will lead the effort against amnesty by halting all immigration until every single undocumented individual in America is deported.”
The Kentucky Senate Republican primary is slated for May 19, 2026.
