Trump rallies Bluegrass voters to support GOP ticket

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times - Saturday, October 17, 2026

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — President Trump rallied Kentucky supporters Saturday to pump up turnout at the polls for Republican candidates.

Mr. Trump traveled to Northern Kentucky University’s campus as part of an ongoing, multistate blitz to motivate the GOP base ahead of the midterm elections, urging Kentucky voters to back Senate candidate Rep. Andy Barr, who did not seek reelection to the House in order to run for retiring Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s seat, and House candidate Ed Gallrein, a farmer and veteran looking to replace Rep. Thomas Massie.

Mr. Trump boasted that he won the state in each of his three runs for the White House: “I won 118 out of 120 counties, that’s not bad.”

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Mr. Barr will face Democrat Charles Booker in November. Latest numbers show Mr. Barr leading in polling and fundraising.

The president also praised Mr. Barr, saying, he “backed him from Day 1 when he was running for Congress against a very tough opponent,” Democrat Amy McGrath.

He said “seventeen days from now” Kentuckians will “defeat the radical left Democrat Charles Booker” and elect “a friend of mine.”

He called Mr. Barr “an amazing candidate” and “an amazing congressman” and if “the people turn out just a little bit,” Mr. Barr will “walk away” with the race.

This is Mr. Trump’s second visit to Kentucky in seven months. The last time he visited, he successfully rallied support in the Republican primary for Mr. Gallrein in the 4th District against longtime incumbent Mr. Massie.

Mr. Gallrein, described by the president as straight out of “central casting” several times, faces Democrat Melissa Strange in the deep red district.

Mr. Trump said he’s proud of Mr. Gallrein, who defeated Mr. Massie in the 4th District, where the rally took place.

Mr. Trump also called for the crowd to support Republican Ralph Alvarado, who was not in attendance at the venue due to previous long-standing commitments at other GOP events.

Mr. Alvarado is running to fill Mr. Barr’s seat and is facing off against Democrat Zach Dembo a former federal prosecutor who worked for Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and has the endorsement of the governor.

An internal poll of 606 likely voters conducted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently showed Mr. Dembo leading by 6 points. However, it notes 8% are undecided.