Barr pitches big tent, Cameron campaigns as political outsider

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Energized Republican crowds each showed their support for Kentucky U.S. Senate candidates Daniel Cameron and Andy Barr on the campaign trail Tuesday, with Kentucky’s primary election a week ago.

It comes as the distinction between their campaigns becomes clearer.

Barr, now with President Donald Trump’s endorsement paired with the support of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s allies, spoke confidently to voters in Anchorage about his objective of “making sure that Republicans remain in the majority in the United States Senate.”

He also shared a vision for Louisville.

“We can be like Nashville, we should be better than Nashville,” the congressman said.

Barr’s pitching himself as the best suited candidate to ensure Kentucky doesn’t lose influence in Washington D.C. without McConnell. He’s also indicating he’s the big tent candidate.

“There’s a lot of different flavors of Republicans in Kentucky. That is a good thing,” he told GOP voters in eastern Jefferson County. “We have Rand Paul Republicans. We have Thomas Massie Republicans. We have Ed Gallrein Republicans. We have Mitch McConnell Republicans. We have Maga Republicans.”

Meanwhile at a restaurant in Bardstown, Kentucky, Cameron quoted scripture.

“We know that this is a challenging political environment, but what we as a family have rested on is what is found in John 16,” Kentucky’s former attorney general said. “He says, but be of good cheer, because he has overcome the world.”

Notably, Cameron hardly mentioned the names Donald Trump or Joe Biden, whom he’s mentioned frequently in past campaign stops.

He now appears to be working to position himself as the political outsider in the race.

“People are done with career politicians. They want change. They’re ready for new life and new blood in the United States Senate,” he said.

In another notable move, in crunch time leading up to the primary, Cameron’s campaign has pulled its TV ad purchases for the final week.

When asked to explain the decision and whether it was a financial move, Cameron answered, “Our whole effort is to get people to the polls, and we’re making sure the resources are going through text message and through digital and Facebook.”

Nancy Stanbery of Louisville says she decided before the Trump endorsement to vote for Barr. She says his TV ads helped her decision.

“He’s been in politics for quite a while, and that impresses me.”

 Others like Bunny Spalding say they’ve been turned off by some of the attack ads, including ones run by Political Action Committees. She isn’t sure about her vote yet.

“I’m still praying about it. I’ve prayed all morning,” she told WHAS11 at Barr’s campaign visit to Anchorage.

Kimberly Wright of Boston, Kentucky, has supported Cameron for months.

“He’s humble, he’s dedicated, he’s not afraid of his Christian faith,” she told WHAS11.