The 2026 primary election is now behind us here in Kentucky, and the fall matchups are now set.

Kentucky's Republican voters have chosen their nominee for the U.S.

Senate race to replace Mitch McConnell.

Congressman Andy Barr, who serves Central Kentucky's six congressional district, sailed to victory over former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Securing over 60% of the vote.

We begin our primary election coverage recap tonight with Kentucky's U.S.

Senate race, where the Trump endorsement in hand and a well-funded campaign war chest.

Barr will face former state legislator and Democratic nominee Charles Booker in the November general election.

Our Clayton Dalton begins tonight's coverage with a closer look at the GOP race for U.S.

Senate right here in Kentucky.

Last night, Kentucky's sixth district congressman Andy Barr won the Republican nomination for the US Senate just a few weeks ago.

The contest was a tight three way race between Barr, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and businessman Nate Morris.

That all changed when President Trump convinced Morris to drop out of the race.

And when Trump formally endorsed Andy Barr, those actions changed the course of the election.

And as the votes rolled in, Barr quickly defeated Cameron, winning 116 of Kentucky's 120 counties.

You know, it didn't turn out the way we wanted it to, but, felt very strongly that, you know, I would have been a strong voice for the people here in this commonwealth in Washington.

And, that just wasn't the case tonight.

You ultimately work your tail off and to as many places as you can and try to articulate your message.

And we we tried to do that, but we didn't get to enough people.

We asked Cameron how his campaign shifted following Trump's endorsement of Barr.

And thankful for the work that President Trump has done.

And, obviously want to continue to see him succeed.

What I've said is that America first, in Kentucky first are one in the same.

And so I continue to articulate the exact same principles.

You know, the day before that Friday and the day after that Friday, and my message has been that what is good for Kentucky, and it via the America First agenda, is what my hope was in serving in the Senate was to advance that agenda.

At Andy Barr's watch party.

The crowd cheered as he took the stage for his victory speech, and quickly acknowledged the influence of Trump support.

Thank you, Mr.

President, for your powerful support.

I look forward to fighting alongside you to advance our America First agenda and deliver for Kentucky.

In the United States Senate.

He went on to slam the Democratic Party on national issues like immigration, military funding, taxes, health care, and more, but argued conservative, commonsense principles will prevail.

The future will be built by Kentucky common sense or the craziness of politicians on the extreme far left who promote these radical ideas.

They want to turn Kentucky into the commonwealth of Kamala.

I will not let it happen.

They're already looking to the November general election.

Barr painted himself as the candidate who will fight for our way of life.

In six months, there will be another election night.

And between now and then, the left will make it stand.

It will bring its craziness to our borders.

Just as I said when I declared my candidacy in the primary, I will fight for our way of life, for our farms, our factories, our horse industry, our bourbon, for coal, for low taxes, for high growth.

For safe towns, safe cities, civility, respect and fairness to all.

For Kentucky edition, I'm Clayton Dalton.

Thank you Clayton.

Meanwhile, the third time was the charm for Charles Booker.

He clinched the Democratic nomination for U.S.

Senate last night by winning 25 of Kentucky's 120 counties, including three of the four largest counties in the state Jefferson, Fayette and Warren counties.

Booker previously ran for the Senate seat back in 2020 and again in 2022.

After giving his acceptance speech last night, he said he's running to flip the seat blue for the first time since 1999.

Well, because I understand this moment is big, bigger in politics.

This is about all of us.

I'm running not simply as a Democratic nominee, but as a leader who will fight for all Kentuckians.

This campaign is for the people of Kentucky, no matter your background, because we're all getting screwed.

And because my own story comes from the struggle.

And as I always say, my insulin doesn't care about my party registration.

We finally have the chance to elect leadership that will fight for us at a time when so many people are hurting.

That's what makes this moment so different.

We all realize we can't keep doing things the same.

And I'm just proud to represent the possibility not only for Kentucky before this country's democracy.

The pursuit of it is still lives, and the chance to end generational poverty is still real.

And we're going to get this win for Kentucky.

Booker won with 47% of the votes in yesterday's Democratic primary.

His closest competitor was Amy McGrath, who received 36% of the vote.

Amy McGrath put out this statement after her defeat last night.

It says, quote, I can tell you with certainty that things are changing here.

People are tired of getting left behind, and instead of pretending everything will be okay, they're ready to fight back for their families and their communities.

I know that because of our campaign, Kentucky is stronger.

End quote.

McGrath offered Charles Booker her full support in the fall campaign.

This was McGrath's third run for federal office.

She also ran for the U.S.

House back in 2018 and the U.S.

Senate back in 2020.