A major shakeup in Kentucky's U.S.

Senate race took place this weekend.

On Friday evening, President Donald Trump endorsed Congressman Andy Barr.

And that's not the only news Trump made over Derby weekend.

Our Emily Sisk explains as we begin tonight's coverage of the 2026 primary election.

Big developments in the Republican primary for U.S.

Senate President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social on Friday night, offering his official endorsement of sixth District Congressman Andy Barr.

The president said, quote, Andy is the only candidate who will easily defeat the Democrats and what will be one of the most important elections in American history.

Andy Barr has my complete and total endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky.

And quote.

Barr spoke about the endorsement at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

I've been communicating with the president not only throughout this campaign, but since my first since his first term.

We've been working together for a long time.

That's why he has confidence in me.

He knows that I've been with him all the way, and I'll be his number one champion in the United States Senate as well.

So it was it was great for him to personally a call and, and and give me that endorsement.

The president also announced on Friday that he met with candidate Nate Morris, asking him to step aside from the race.

The president said he offered Morris a position as an ambassador in his administration instead.

Morris spoke to Spectrum News about the change on Saturday while attending the Derby.

I'm so honored and humbled that I'll be his next ambassador representing America, representing Kentucky and representing the America First agenda.

In another turn of events, Morris gave his endorsement of Congressman Barr.

Morris and Barr had previously sparred against each other in debates and through political advertisements.

I think, and he's got the winning hand here.

Obviously, he has the greatest endorsement in the history of politics.

He's got the president behind him.

And I think that's virtually impossible to overcome in a place like Kentucky.

The Barr campaign quickly released a TV ad highlighting the president's endorsement.

President Trump makes his pick for Kentucky Senate.

Andy Barr is a proven winner.

He'll cut taxes, unleash American energy dominance and secure the border.

With Morris withdrawing from the race.

That leaves former Attorney General Daniel Cameron as Barr's main opponent.

Cameron appeared on Live Now from Fox, saying even though he did not receive the president's endorsement, he is still confident in his success.

Come May 19th.

You opted not to drop out of the race.

Why?

Why not go along with the president?

Trump is saying, when when one of your fellow candidates already did that, you're making the decision to stay in this race because you believe, right, that there is still a path to victory here?

There is definitely a path to victory.

And the path is I'm going to win on May 19th because of the folks that are supporting this effort all across this great Commonwealth.

A panel of Kentucky journalists spoke about the shakeup just as the news broke on Friday night during Katie's comment on Kentucky with Bill Bryant.

The pressure is going to be on Daniel Cameron.

Is he going to be offered a judgeship?

Is he going to be offered a job in the administration as well?

Will he take it like that's the real question for him now they're all the pressure's going to be on Daniel from this point forward.

The latest poll released last month from Emerson College and TV in Lexington, showed Barr with 28% of the vote, Cameron at 21% and 15% for Morris, 29% of voters were undecided at that time.

For Kentucky edition, I'm Emily Sisk.

Thank you.

Emily.

Daniel Cameron is slated to speak to the press tomorrow in Louisville to address what he calls the state of the race.

Former state Senator Ralph Alvarado, who was running for the seat Andy Barr is vacating, has also landed President Trump's endorsement.

Alvarado is one of the Republicans in the race for the U.S.

House in Kentucky's sixth district.

In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump called Alvarado a, quote, America first patriot.

The post goes on to read in part, quote, a true friend to MAGA, Ralph was a featured speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and a member of the National Hispanic Advisory Council for Trump.

Ralph has been with us from the very beginning, a very successful family physician, a former Kentucky state senator.

Ralph has dedicated his life to serving his community and, quote, shortly after the endorsement, Alvarado posted on ex quote, thank you, President Trump, for your complete and total endorsement.

I will not let you down.

End quote.

One of Alvarado's Republican opponents in the race, Ryan Dotson, a state representative, sent a statement in response to Trump's endorsement, saying, quote, I have tremendous respect for President Trump, and I understand the difficult decisions that come with endorsements in a crowded primary field.

But since this announcement, my phone has not stopped ringing.

Supporters, donors and grassroots conservatives from across Kentucky and the country have called, texted and reached out to encourage me to keep fighting harder than ever.

That is exactly what I intend to do and quote.