Todd County Judge-Executive Todd Mansfield has endorsed U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in his campaign to become Kentucky’s next United States Senator — a race drawing growing attention as several high-profile Republicans and Democrats compete to succeed Mitch McConnell.
Mansfield said Barr has consistently stood firm against federal overreach, higher taxes, and burdensome regulations, calling him a proven conservative who delivers results for Kentucky’s rural communities. He said he looks forward to working with Barr to keep Todd County and West Kentucky moving forward.
Barr praised Mansfield’s record of local leadership, citing his efforts to create jobs, expand opportunities, and confront the opioid crisis. He said he’s honored to have Mansfield’s support and eager to continue delivering results for western Kentucky.
Mansfield, who first assumed office on June 13, 2018, brings a background in banking and family business to local government. He worked more than two decades in banking, helped operate his family’s auto dealerships, and currently serves as a certified residential real property appraiser in Kentucky and Tennessee with Ben Bolinger Appraisal.
Barr’s campaign has emphasized building relationships with local leaders across the commonwealth, particularly in rural and western Kentucky counties. The endorsement from Mansfield adds to a growing list of local officials backing Barr’s Senate run as he seeks to present himself as a results-oriented conservative focused on jobs, infrastructure, and limiting federal overreach.
Barr, a six-term congressman representing Kentucky’s 6th District, formally entered the 2026 U.S. Senate race earlier this year following McConnell’s announcement that he would not seek reelection. His campaign blends experience on the House Financial Services Committee with an emphasis on Kentucky’s economic and agricultural priorities.
The contest for McConnell’s seat has quickly become one of the most closely watched races in the nation. Alongside Barr, several notable Republicans have declared their intentions to run:
Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky Attorney General and 2023 Republican nominee for governor, entered the race soon after McConnell’s retirement announcement. Cameron has a strong statewide profile and remains popular among many conservative voters.
Nate Morris, a Lexington-based businessman and founder of a waste management and logistics firm, is running as a political outsider with the resources to self-fund his campaign. He has emphasized private-sector efficiency and Kentucky innovation.
Michael Faris, a helicopter maintenance company owner, has also filed to run, joining a small group of lesser-known Republican contenders.
On the Democratic side, Pamela Stevenson, the Minority Floor Leader in the Kentucky House of Representatives, has launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate seat. Stevenson, who represents Louisville’s 43rd District, is a retired U.S. Air Force JAG officer, attorney, and minister.
She announced her candidacy in late March, calling for leadership focused on “restoring balance” and representing working families across the state. Stevenson is currently the highest-ranking Democrat in the Kentucky House and is expected to consolidate much of her party’s early support.
