Contentious election between Barr and McGrath brings national figures to the Bluegrass region

There is no year like election year, especially here in the Bluegrass. Representative Andy Barr is in a tight re-election bid against retired Marine Lt. Col Amy McGrath, whose service as a fighter pilot in Afghanistan has made her popular in a traditionally red state.

With election day just a few weeks away, both candidates brought in political heavyweights to rally support. This came in the form of former Vice-President Joe Biden for McGrath, who hosted an event in Bath County with Biden in hopes of winning over a traditionally red county. Andy Barr followed with a rally in Richmond, attended by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Rand Paul, and President Donald Trump.

The race for Kentucky’s 6th district seat has become increasingly hostile. The Barr campaign has mercilessly assailed McGrath for being “Too Liberal for Kentucky.” While McGrath’s campaign has not retaliated against Barr, PACs in support of McGrath have fired back with claims that Andy Barr is “What’s Wrong With Washington.”

If McGrath were to unseat the incumbent Barr, it would be a strong indicator that the “blue wave” which Democrats have been hoping for might finally become a “blue tsunami”.

This is not by any stretch lost on the Republicans.

“This could be the most important race in the country today,” Trump said at Saturday’s rally.

McGrath touts an impressive record outside of the political arena, being the first female Marine to fly an F-15 on a combat mission and a Lt. Colonel to boot. However, some voters feel she lacks the overall political experience that Barr has acquired during his tenure in office.

That has not stopped McGrath from giving everything that she has in order to defeat Barr.

“I am proud to say that we have opened a campaign field office in every single one of our 19 counties in this district,” McGrath said during her speech to Bath County voters.

McGrath drew about 1600 strong crowd, with Biden leading the charge to rally the base, some of whom have a political axe to grind with many of the Trump Administration’s actions while in office.

“Our reputation (worldwide) is being tarnished,” Biden said when speaking of the current administration. “I have world leaders asking me what happened to America.”

This election also features a wider base of young people, many of whom were not able to vote in the 2016 Presidential election and are energized to vote for the first time.

“This election is about more than politics,” Biden said, “It’s a battle for America’s values and for the future of this country.”

Many voters agree with the Vice President, as in that this election is in some ways a referendum on Trump. Republicans have been quick to trot out their political victories in response to Democratic disagreement with the current administration’s policy goals.

“Mr. President, I want to personally thank you for ending the War on Coal,” Barr said, speaking at Saturday’s rally.

While the coal industry is not as big in the 6th district as it is in others, it is still a large part of Kentucky culture.

“I’m really proud of the job that [Trump] has done for our coal industry,” a miner attending the rally said, wishing to remain anonymous

That is not all, as Trump continues to tout this year’s unprecedented tax reform, which Trump claims brought down taxes for a large amount of Kentuckians.

“I, with the help of Senator McConnell, was able to pass one of the biggest tax cuts in history…helping the people right here in Kentucky,” Trump said.

Both Biden and Trump left similar messages foreshadowing the doom if either’s political foe won the midterms.

“Every voter faces a simple choice this November,” Trump said, “Either you cave to the left-wing mob, or you vote for a law-abiding Republican party which stands for truth and justice.”

While the voter registration deadline for this general election is already over in KY, there are still plenty of ways to get involved. Both the Barr and McGrath campaigns are always looking for new volunteers for canvassing. You can find information on both candidates campaign websites.

You can also contact the Young Republicans and Young Democrats club at HC for more information.

No matter who the victor is on Nov 6th, this election is sure to change the national landscape and the political scales in states everywhere.