GOP fight to replace McConnell turns ugly over immigration

Axios
by Kate Santaliz
March 23, 2026
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2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Republican primary to replace retiring Senate Majority Leader McConnell is becoming a bitter intra-party battle over immigration.

AI Summary

A Club for Growth-aligned super PAC called Win It Back launched a television ad attacking Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) over immigration as the Republican primary to replace retiring Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell intensifies. The group spent nearly $750,000 on the spot in a week, airing in four Kentucky cities and branding Barr as "Amnesty Andy," while also painting him as McConnell's protégé. Barr responded by emphasizing his support for Trump's border security agenda and his votes to expand ICE enforcement. The race for the safely Republican seat has become one of the cycle's most bruising intra-party battles, with outside groups including Elon Musk—who gave $10 million to candidate Nate Morris—pouring millions into the primary despite no leading contender yet securing Trump's endorsement.

What's Being Done

Outside groups, including one aligned with Club for Growth and donor Elon Musk, are spending millions on advertising attacks in the Kentucky Republican primary.

Should this be getting more attention?

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