Nate Morris enters U.S. Senate race in Kentucky, aligning with Trump’s MAGA movement

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A new contender has entered Kentucky’s closely watched race to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. Republican businessman Nate Morris officially announced his Senate bid Thursday, positioning himself as a political outsider aligned with President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.

Morris is expected to face tough competition in the GOP primary, including Congressman Andy Barr and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron. He’s already drawing sharp distinctions between himself and his Republican rivals.

On the Democratic side, Morris would face State Representative Pamela Stevenson in the general election if both candidates advance through their respective primaries.

With McConnell stepping aside after decades in the Senate, the 2026 race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in the nation.