GOP Rep. Andy Barr to run for Mitch McConnell's Senate seat, though McConnell hasn't said he's retiring

A battle to replace Kentucky GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell is starting to shape up — even though the former majority leader hasn't announced that he's planning to leave the Senate. 

Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr, who was in Palm Beach over the weekend during a Republican campaign retreat, intends to run in the 2026 Senate race for McConnell's seat, according to people who attended the event. 

McConnell, who is serving his seventh term, has not yet disclosed plans to run for reelection, but he has repeatedly said that he intends to serve out his term, which ends in early 2027.