If U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell doesn’t run for reelection next year, some are asking, which Republicans will seek to replace him? Stephen Voss is an associate professor of political science at the University of Kentucky specializing in American politics. He said he wouldn’t be surprised if former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron and a Lexington-based congressman take a shot.
“Andy Barr, congressman from the 6th district from central Kentucky, has been taking all of the steps one normally would take to position himself to run for a U.S. Senate seat, getting involved in foreign policy, which tends to be more a senator’s domain.”
Many political observers say they don’t think Mitch McConnell will run for an eighth term. Voss said he agrees, adding he doesn’t believe Democratic Governor Andy Beshear will throw his hat in that ring – even though national party leaders will ask him to.
“I expect that Beshear knows, and even those national Democrats know, that just because Kentucky voters were willing to elect a Democrat for governor does not necessarily mean they'd be willing to do the same, even with the same candidate for a U.S. Senate seat that could affect the national balance of power.”
Voss said if McConnell does run for reelection, his health challenges and more than four decades in the Senate will likely invite a challenger from the party’s right wing.
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