Senate candidate Andy Barr reports break-in at Lexington campaign HQ

Austin Horn, Lexington Herald-Leader on Feb 26, 2026

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Rep. Andy Barr, a candidate to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell in this year’s Republican primary, claims that someone broke into and vandalized his campaign headquarters in Lexington on Thursday afternoon.

No one was harmed, according to statements by both Barr’s team and the Lexington Police Department.

Barr’s campaign claims the person who broke in and “damaged the campaign headquarters” was an “unhinged radical” who “has been a frequent critic of Barr’s politics.”

Lexington Police Department Sgt. Bige Towery wrote in a statement that police responded to a report of vandalism at the headquarters around 2:45 p.m. Thursday. The suspect was a man, but “identification and charges are pending,” Towery said.

“Upon officer’s arrival, the male suspect was no longer present and no staff members reported injuries. The Lexington Police Department will work with the Capital Police Department concerning this incident. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Suspect identification and charges are pending,” Towery wrote in a statement.

A spokesperson for Barr called the person a “radical extremist.”

“While we are relieved that our staff and volunteers are safe, this is a cowardly attempt to intimidate our movement. We want to thank the Lexington Police Department for their swift and professional response. Let there be no doubt: Andy Barr will not be intimidated. He will never back down from his principles or fighting for the hardworking people of Kentucky. This radical was motivated to attack our office because he disagreed with Andy Barr’s conservative beliefs. Political violence has been a growing trend in our country, and there is no place for it,” the spokesperson wrote.

Barr is one of three leading candidates in the Republican race to replace McConnell. Lexington tech entrepreneur Nate Morris and former attorney general Daniel Cameron are running for the seat as well. Elizabethtown businessman Michael Faris is also running a vigorous campaign for the seat.

On the Democratic side, former candidates Charles Booker and Amy McGrath are running alongside House Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville, Lexington attorney Logan Forsythe and Louisville horse trainer Dale Romans.