The top three Republican candidates running to replace longtime U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell took the stage Monday night at the Henry Clay event center in downtown Louisville for the first Republican primary debate. McConnell, a Republican who has represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate since 1985, announced earlier this year that he won’t seek reelection in 2026 after more than 40 years in office, creating the first open Senate seat in the state in years.
Rep. Andy Barr, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris are facing off in the Republican primary, which is among this year’s most competitive. The GOP hopefuls all support President Donald Trump, hoping to land his endorsement in a state that Trump overwhelmingly carried in the past three presidential elections.
The debate offered voters an opportunity to hear the candidates discuss their positions on key issues and outline their priorities as the Republican primary campaign ramps up, WDRB reported.
At one point, the candidates were asked about Trump’s military actions against Iran and at what point should Congress get involved.
The president has the legal authority as commander in chief to defend the country and Congress has the power to declare war, but Congress does not have the power to prevent the president from advancing our national security,” Barr, who voted against a recent War Powers Act resolution seeking to rein in the president
“The president has the legal authority as commander in chief to defend the country and Congress has the power to declare war, but Congress does not have the power to prevent the president from advancing our national security,” Barr, who voted against a recent War Powers Act resolution seeking to rein in the president.
“I voted against this dangerous and reckless resolution because it would have sent a dangerous signal, it would have been a gift to our adversaries, but the bottom line is the objectives are being achieved,” he added.
Cameron, meanwhile, took a similar stance. “Lets take a stock of where we were. Under Joe Biden and President (Barack) Obama, you had redlines and the disastrous evacuation from Afghanistan,” he said. “President Trump is about decisive action on behalf of the American people to ensure our national security.
I am grateful for President Trump and would support his efforts in Iran, and also lets look at what he did with (Venezuelan President Nicolás) Maduro, and taking out a narco terrorist in Venezuela
“I am grateful for President Trump and would support his efforts in Iran, and also lets look at what he did with (Venezuelan President Nicolás) Maduro, and taking out a narco-terrorist in Venezuela. This president is on the right track and I’m grateful for his leadership,” he added.
Next, it was Morris’ turn. “I think it’s really simple. I trust this president and I trust this president because of the results he’s gotten for the American people. And I stand by him 100%,” he said.
“And he has been so surgical, so tactical in the way that he’s gone after all these foreign governments and I think that we’re gonna get great results for the American people and I stand by him 100% and we gotta have a senator that’s willing to do that, vote with the president and have the president’s back, especially on foreign policy,” he added.
Another question dealt with Trump’s “aggressive enforcement” of immigration laws
Another question dealt with Trump’s “aggressive enforcement” of immigration laws.
“Look, folks in neighborhoods all across this commonwealth and this country want to be able to sleep soundly in their homes. Whether it’s Tom Homan or President Trump or others of the administration, they have said specifically that we are looking for ways in which to deport violent criminals in this country so that you don’t have what occurred with Laken Riley. That is important to me,” said Cameron, adding that he would withhold federal funding from sanctuary states and cities.
“I’ve called for a full moratorium on any new immigration until we deport every single illegal that came into this country under Joe Biden,” Morris said. “Folks, we were invaded. They’ve all gotta go back, 100%, and we shouldn’t give a dime of your taxpayer money to any illegal.”
Said Barr: “I have tripled ICE funding and I’ve supported the toughest border security in history because we need to protect the American people first.”
Said Barr: “I have tripled ICE funding and I’ve supported the toughest border security in history because we need to protect the American people first.”
