Andy Barr Reaches ‘Contender’ Status
Kentucky Republican Takes Critical Second Step in ‘Young Guns’ Program
Washington– The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced today that Republican Andy Barr (KY-06) has reached ‘Contender’ status as part of its Young Guns program. ‘Contender’ status is the second step in the three-level program. Barr now faces a new set of benchmarks to reach ‘Young Gun’ status in his bid to represent Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District. His opponent is four-term Democrat incumbent Ben Chandler, a big-spending appropriator who rubber-stamped President Obama’s cap-and-trade bill, a radical plan that would kill local jobs.
Founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the Young Guns program is a member-driven organization dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide. By achieving ‘Contender’ status, Barr has already proven his ability to build a successful campaign structure and achieve vital fundraising goals.
“Andy Barr has already proven that he will be a formidable candidate by meeting the Young Guns program’s rigorous goals and winning his primary resoundingly. He is well on his way to building a winning general election campaign that will put this seat back in the Republican column after four terms of being held by Democrat incumbent Ben Chandler,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Andy is part of a strong and growing pool of candidates who are frustrated with the Democrat majority’s big-government ways and aren’t willing to stand by any longer. His campaign and recent primary win have put congressional Democrats on notice that Americans are ready to turn the page on the failed experiment known as the Obama-Pelosi agenda.”
A lifelong resident of Lexington, Barr will stand strong for Kentucky values – not Washington values – in Congress. He’ll repeal Obamacare, put the brakes on runaway spending and create local jobs. In endorsing his primary candidacy, the Lexington Herald-Leader said “[h]is experience in government, including a stint as a congressional aide and service in the administration of former Gov. Ernie Fletcher, makes him [well] prepared for serving the district…In the Fletcher administration, Barr was one of the voices who counseled against politicizing merit system jobs.”
Raising at least $430,000 in campaign funds and easily prevailing in the GOP nomination among six Republican hopefuls, Barr has proven that he is a formidable candidate to take on Chandler in November. Hotline on Call noted this week that Barr “shows promise as a candidate” and called his primary win “impressive.”
He now faces a new set of rigorous goals that will elevate him to the top level of the Young Guns program and help him build a competitive, effective and winning campaign.
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