Andy Barr
{{Short description|American politician (born 1973)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Andy Barr
| image = File:Andy Barr 116th Congress.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2018
| state = Kentucky
| district = {{ushr|KY|6|6th}}
| term_start = January 3, 2013
| term_end =
| predecessor = Ben Chandler
| successor =
| birth_name = Garland Hale Barr IV
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|7|24}}
| birth_place = Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Republican
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Eleanor Carol Leavell|2008|2020|end=d.}}
- {{marriage|Davis Huffman|2023}}
}}
| children = 3
| education = University of Virginia (BA)
University of Kentucky (JD)
| website = {{URL|barr.house.gov|House website}}
| signature = Andy Barr signature.png
| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Andy Barr speaks in support of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.ogg|title=Andy Barr's voice|type=speech|description=Andy Barr speaks in support of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
Recorded December 14, 2021}}
}}
Garland Hale "Andy" Barr IV (born July 24, 1973) is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Kentucky's 6th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the administration of Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher. Barr launched a bid for US Senate on April 22, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Horn |first=Austin |date=2025-04-22 |title=Lexington Herald Leader |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article302437229.html}}{{Cite news |last=Corasaniti |first=Nick |date=2025-04-22 |title=Andy Barr Enters Kentucky Senate Race to Succeed Mitch McConnell |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/us/politics/andy-barr-kentucky-senate-mitch-mcconnell.html |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Pinski |first=Hannah |title=Andy Barr starts Senate campaign, announces he will run for Mitch McConnell's seat in 2026 |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/22/andy-barr-to-enter-us-senate-race-replace-mitch-mcconnell/78416329007/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
Barr was born in Lexington, Kentucky, the son of Garland Hale Barr III and Rev. Donna R. (Faulconer) Barr.Brammer, "GOP's Barr mulls run for Congress" The Barr family has been in Lexington for generations, and Barr Street in that city is reportedly named for one of Barr's ancestors.Cheves, "Barr says he offers respite from 'career politicians'" His father founded two companies in Lexington, the accounting firm Barr, Anderson and Roberts PLLC, and Merrick Management, Inc, a physician practice firm. His mother is a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington.{{cite web |title=Merrick Management, Inc, Profile of Garland A. Barr, III, CPA |url=http://anesthesiaoffice.net/aboutus.html |ref=Merrick}} Barr graduated from Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1992.Musgrave, "Former Fletcher aide running for Congress"
Barr graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Virginia in 1996 with a B.A. in government and philosophy. As a contributor to the conservative campus publication The Virginia Advocate, he was highly critical of then-President Bill Clinton for allegedly evading the draft. While in college, he was also an intern for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican National Committee, and the Heritage Foundation. He also was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.{{cite news|last1=Brammer|first1=Jack|title=Spending by outside groups in Chandler-Barr race tops $1 million|url=http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article44381478.html|access-date=May 8, 2018|publisher=Lexington Herald Leader|date=October 9, 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Chevers |first1=John |title=Barr says he offers respite from 'career politicians' |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=April 11, 2021 |ref=Respite |page=A14}}{{Cite web|last=comments|first=Katie Nielsen 4|title=Newly-Elected Congressmen Have Heritage Roots {{!}} myHeritage|url=https://www.myheritage.org/news/how-newly-elected-congressmen-are-connected-to-heritage/|access-date=2021-09-08}}
From 1996 until 1998, he worked as a legislative assistant to Jim Talent, then a U.S. Representative from Missouri, where he staffed Talent's service on the Speaker's Health Care Reform Task Force. In 2001, Barr earned a J.D. degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He was president of the Federalist Society at UK Law and was chosen to compete on the Moot Court National Team.{{cite web|title=Garland 'Andy' Barr|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/elections/candidates/garland-andy-barr-60705/|work=Washington Times|access-date=May 8, 2018}}{{cite web |title=Federalist Society Hosts Inaugural Spring Banquet with Speaker Congressman Andy Barr |url=https://law.uky.edu/news/federalist-society-hosts-inaugural-spring-banquet-speaker-congressman-andy-barr |website=University of Kentucky, Rosenberg College of Law |access-date=March 4, 2021 |ref=UKLawFedSoc |quote=Nearly thirty members of the chapter and other law students attended to hear U.S. Representative Andy Barr (a former University of Kentucky College of Law Federalist Society chapter president) speak on his time at the University of Kentucky and how federalism principles influence his votes in Congress.}}{{cite web |title=Congressman Andy Barr Speaks at College of Law |url=https://law.uky.edu/news/congressman-andy-barr-speaks-college-law |website=University of Kentucky, Rosenberg College of Law |access-date=March 4, 2021 |ref=UKMagna}}
Law career
Commencing practice in Lexington, Barr joined the Fayette County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section and co-founded the Lexington Charity Club, a nonprofit organization of young men raising money for charitable causes, with Lee Greer and Rob Lewis.Patrick, "A Different Brown-Bag Meeting" In 2002, he joined the liability defense service group and the business litigation service group at the Lexington law firm Stites & Harbison."Personnel File". Lexington Herald-Leader While there, he worked for former Democratic Kentucky attorney general and future governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear, who urged him to get involved in state politics. Barr and colleague Brad Cowgill were employed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Ernie Fletcher in 2003 to fight charges that Fletcher's running mate, Hunter Bates, did not meet the state's residency requirements for eligibility for the office of lieutenant governor. A judge ruled against Bates, and he was dropped from the ticket.
=Fletcher administration=
After Fletcher won the election, Barr was named to the Fletcher's transition team in the Public Protection and Regulation Cabinet."Fletcher Transition Team Members". The Kentucky Post Fletcher chose Barr as general counsel for the governor's office of local development.Alessi, "State Office Stopped Recruiting Candidates" When Fletcher declared April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Kentucky, Barr wrote Fletcher's speech for the occasion. While researching the speech, he made contact with the nonprofit group Prevent Child Abuse in Kentucky. He became interested in the organization's mission and was elected to its board of directors in 2004; he served as its vice president in 2007 and president in 2008 and 2009.Wingo, "Personnel File" (2004, 2007, June 2008, and 2009)
Fletcher's term in office was marred by a hiring scandal that involved violations of the state merit system. Barr was not implicated in the scandal; he told the Lexington Herald-Leader that Fletcher's Local Initiatives for a New Kentucky (LINK) outreach program, a sub-unit of the office of local development, stopped recruiting and vetting individuals for merit positions in the executive branch after he briefed officials about an opinion issued by the Executive Branch Ethics Commission during the administration of Fletcher's predecessor, Paul E. Patton, regarding acceptable and unacceptable hiring under the merit system. The Herald-Leader later requested copies of any employment recommendations made by LINK employees, but Barr refused the request, citing an exemption in Kentucky's Open Records Act that provides exemptions for "preliminary drafts, notes and correspondence" of state employees.Cheves, "Fletcher Disbands Outreach Agency, Keeps Its Activities Secret"
In 2007, Fletcher's general counsel resigned to become executive director of the Kentucky Bar Association; deputy general counsel David E. Fleenor was elevated to general counsel, and Barr replaced Fleenor as deputy general counsel."N. Kentucky Police Chief is Charged with DUI". Lexington Herald-Leader In this capacity, he authored a defense of Fletcher's executive order that the Ten Commandments be posted in the rotunda of the state capitol alongside other historical documents. Fletcher was defeated for reelection in 2007 and before his term expired, he named Barr to the state Public Advocacy Commission.Alessi, "Fletcher rewards supporters Scores Appointed to State Boards, Commissions"
= Post-Fletcher administration =
In April 2008, Barr returned to private practice as an associate at the law firm Kinkead and Stilz; he also worked as a part-time instructor of constitutional law at the University of Kentucky.Wingo, "Personnel File" (April 2008) He was chosen as an alternate delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention and served as vice president of the Fayette County Republican Party.Alessi, "GOP delegates upset two groups"Brammer, "Lineup of candidates for fall is taking shape"
U.S House of Representatives
= Elections =
==2010==
{{main|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6}}
On November 10, 2009, Barr became the first Republican to formally announce that he would seek his party's nomination to challenge incumbent 6th district congressman Ben Chandler. In the announcement, he touted his opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (which Chandler had also opposed) and the American Clean Energy and Security Act (which Chandler supported). Barr's campaign raised far more money than those of any of his five opponents in the Republican primary.Cheves, "Republicans pick Barr to challenge Chandler" Barr garnered 31,255 votes in the primary, while his opponents' totals ranged from 4,789 to 1,880."On the ballot". Lexington Herald-Leader
In an interview with WKYT-TV in July, Barr denounced the recently signed Dodd–Frank Act that enacted new regulations on the banking industry.Cheves, "Barr: Cut earmarks, federal spending" He called for an end to the practice of politicians earmarking funds for special projects in their districts, a position that put him at odds with state party leaders such as McConnell and long-time 5th district congressman Hal Rogers. Although he supported strengthening security along the U.S. border with Mexico to curb illegal immigration, he stated his belief that fellow Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul's plan to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants violated the Fourteenth Amendment.
The National Republican Congressional Committee targeted Barr's race against Chandler as part of its strategy to gain control of the House of Representatives during the 2010 midterm elections, and Ohio congressman John Boehner, who stood to become Speaker of the House if the Republicans gained a majority, visited the state to campaign for Barr.Cheves, "Chandler declares win as GOP takes House" Substantial amounts of money from political groups outside the state aided both candidates and spawned a number of negative campaign ads. Chandler aired ads in August alluding to Barr's arrest in Florida for using a fake ID and seeking to tie him to the Fletcher administration's wrongdoing. Barr countered with ads criticizing Chandler's support of cap-and-trade legislation, an unpopular vote in coal-dependent Kentucky, and his vote in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which Barr characterized as a waste of taxpayer money that did little to stimulate an economic recovery.
Unofficial election day results showed Chandler narrowly defeating Barr, but the race was so close that Barr did not concede.Musgrave, "Barr concedes to Chandler" When the official results were released, Chandler had received 119,812 (50.1%) votes to Barr's 119,163 (49.8%). Barr petitioned Kentucky secretary of state Trey Grayson for a recanvassing of the voting machines in the district, but this yielded only one additional vote for Barr. On November 12, ten days after the election, Barr announced that he would concede the election to Chandler rather than request a full recount.
==2012==
{{main|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6}}
On June 9, 2011, Barr announced that he would again challenge Chandler for his seat in the 2012 elections.Brammer, "Barr to run for Congress again" Chandler responded to the announcement by declaring, "Next year, voters will have a very simple choice to make: whether to protect and save Social Security and Medicare, or to end them," an allusion to Barr's publicly expressed support for Representative Paul Ryan's budget proposal.
In July 2012, Roll Call reported that "a wide swath of influential Republicans in Kentucky see Barr's campaign as something of a lost cause...In the eyes of those who know Kentucky best, from Washington, D.C., to Frankfort, this isn't much of a race right now."{{cite web|url=http://atr.rollcall.com/kentucky-barr-poll-shows-him-behind-by-5-points/|title=Kentucky: Andy Barr Poll Shows Him Behind by 5 Points|date=July 9, 2012|access-date=August 13, 2014}}
Barr won the Republican primary and again received financial support from the National Republican Campaign Committee in his general election campaign.Brammer, "Barr wins easily, setting up rematch with Chandler" When Chandler decided not to attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Barr charged that he was trying to avoid association with President Barack Obama, who was seeking a second term and was unpopular in Kentucky.Brammer, "Chandler skipping his party's convention" A spokesperson for Chandler maintained that Chandler had previous engagements in his home district that week, but that he supported Obama's reelection. Barr was chosen to give a brief address at the 2012 Republican National Convention, during which he decried Obama's perceived hostility toward the coal industry.Brammer, "Barr uses GOP appearance to assail coal policies" Chandler campaign staffers criticized Barr's decision to attend the convention, saying that he should spend the time in his district, getting to know the people there better.Brammer, "Barr to speak at GOP convention" They also mocked the fact that the backdrop for Barr's speech was a picture of the city of Louisville, which is not in the 6th district; Barr's campaign countered that they had no part in choosing the backdrop.
Both candidates began their TV ad campaigns with more positive ads; Barr's wife appeared in his first ad, touting him as a "family man", while Chandler tried to combat Barr's charges of fiscal liberalism by releasing an ad criticizing excessive government spending.Alford, "Chandler, Barr begin TV ad war in 6th District" Tea Party-backed Kentucky senator Rand Paul endorsed Barr despite their differences on some policy matters, including Barr's support for the Patriot Act. The positive tone did not hold as the race tightened. Chandler's campaign attacked Barr for using a mining executive from Morganfield, which is well outside the 6th district, as a coal miner from Estill County, which is in the district.Alford, "Coal exec threatens to sue Chandler" The campaign's charges that the man depicted was "not a miner" prompted him to threaten a suit for defamation, and he produced copies of his certified miner credentials in rebuttal to the charge. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also bought ads that again raised the issue of Barr's previous conviction and his association with Fletcher.Brammer, "New ad signals race tightening"
Barr won the election by a vote of 153,222 (51%) to 141,436 (47%).Brammer, "Republican Barr avenges 2010 loss to Chandler"
==2014==
{{main|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6}}
Barr defeated Democratic nominee Elisabeth Jensen in the 2014 general election, by a vote of 147,404 (60%) to 98,290 (40%). Barr garnered wide support and raised substantial funds for the race.KY Board of Elections, "2014 General Election" http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/KY/53704/149744/en/summary.html
==2016==
{{main|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6}}
In the 2016 congressional elections, Democrat Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, a graduate of Yale Divinity School and former executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, challenged Barr in the 6th Congressional District. She ran with the support of former lieutenant governor Crit Luallen, state senator Reggie Thomas, state representative Susan Westrom, and Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.{{cite web|last1=Youngman|first1=Sam|title=Democrat Nancy Jo Kemper files to run for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr's seat|url=http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article55826180.html|website=Herald-Leader|access-date=March 30, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Nancy Jo Kemper for Congress|url=http://www.kemperforcongress.com/|website=Kemper for Congress|access-date=March 30, 2016}} Barr was reelected with 61.1% of the vote.{{cite web|title=Kentucky U.S. House 6th District Results: Andy Barr Wins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/kentucky-house-district-6-barr-kemper|work=New York Times|access-date=April 8, 2017}}
==2018==
{{Main|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6}}
Barr won the 2018 Republican primary.{{cite web|last1=Associated Press|title=Incumbent Andy Barr Cruises To Primary Victory|url=http://wuky.org/post/incumbent-andy-barr-cruises-primary-victory|website=via WUKY.com|date=May 23, 2018 |access-date=May 23, 2018}} Former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath defeated Lexington mayor Jim Gray and state senator Reggie Thomas for the Democratic nomination.{{cite web|last1=Bradner|first1=Eric|title=Fighter pilot McGrath wins Kentucky House primary|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/22/politics/amy-mcgrath-jim-gray-kentucky-house-democratic-primary/index.html|website=CNN.com|date=May 23, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2018}} The race was considered potentially competitive by some observers. Barr defeated McGrath in the general election, 51% to 48%.{{cite web |title=Kentucky's Sixth House District Election Results: Andy Barr vs. Amy McGrath |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/kentucky-house-district-6 |website=New York Times |access-date=November 27, 2018}}
== 2020 ==
{{Main|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6}}
Barr faced attorney and U.S. Marine veteran Josh Hicks. Barr defeated Hicks in the general election, 57.3% to 41%.{{Cite web|last=Kentucky Secretary of State|title=November 3, 2020 - Official 2020 General Election Results|url=https://elect.ky.gov/results/2020-2029/Documents/2020%20General%20Election%20Results.pdf}}
== 2022 ==
{{Main|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky#District 6}}
Barr faced Democrat Geoff Young in the general election. Young came under fire for using Kremlin talking points while campaigning, most notably accusing the Ukrainian government of being run by "Nazis" following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Young failed to receive the endorsement of the Kentucky Democratic Party after winning the Democratic primary.{{Cite web |last=Buczek |first=Karolina-|date=2022-05-23 |title=Rep. Andy Barr: Geoff Young's comments on Ukraine 'very bizarre' |url=https://www.lex18.com/news/rep-andy-barr-geoff-youngs-comments-on-ukraine-very-bizarre |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX) |language=en}} Barr won the general election 62.7% to 33.6%.{{Cite web |title=Kentucky's 6th Congressional District election, 2022 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Kentucky%27s_6th_Congressional_District_election,_2022 |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}
= Tenure =
File:Congressman Andy Barr in Kentucky on Oct. 30, 2024.jpg
Barr serves on the House Committee on Financial Services, and was the ranking member of the Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy.{{Cite web |title=Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy: {{!}} Financial Services Committee Republicans |url=https://republicans-financialservices.house.gov/116th-congress-subcommittees/subcommittee-on-national-security-international-development-and-monetary-policy.htm |access-date=2021-09-08 |website=republicans-financialservices.house.gov}} He also serves on the Republican Study Committee's (RSC) leadership team{{Cite web|date=2017-11-28|title=Leadership|url=https://rsc-banks.house.gov/about/leadership|access-date=2021-08-06|website=Republican Study Committee|language=en}} and chairs the RSC American Worker Task Force (AWTF).{{Cite web|date=2020-09-22|title=JOHNSON, BARR UNVEIL AMERICAN WORKER TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS: RECLAIMING THE AMERICAN DREAM|url=https://rsc-banks.house.gov/news/press-releases/johnson-barr-unveil-american-worker-task-force-recommendations-reclaiming|access-date=2021-08-06|website=Republican Study Committee|language=en}} The RSC is the largest conservative caucus in Congress.{{Cite web|last=Schultz|first=Marisa|date=2021-01-30|title=Rep. Jim Banks, chair of largest House conservative caucus, previews GOP agenda post Trump|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rep-jim-banks-chair-largest-house-conservative-caucus-previews-gop-post-trump|access-date=2021-08-06|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}
On July 11, 2013, Barr introduced the CFPB Rural Designation Petition and Correction Act (H.R. 2672; 113th Congress), a bill that would amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to establish an application process that would allow a person to get their county designated as "rural" for purposes of a federal consumer financial law.{{cite web|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2672|title=H.R. 2672 - Summary|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=May 4, 2014}} One practical effect of having a county designated "rural" is that people can qualify for some types of mortgages by getting them exempted from the CFPB's qualified mortgage rule.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/scheduling/205099-the-week-ahead-house-to-hold-ex-irs-official-in-contempt/|title=The week ahead: House to hold ex-IRS official in contempt|last=Marcos|first=Cristina|date=May 2, 2014|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=May 5, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bankersweb.com/headlines/article/rural-area-designation-consumer-financial-protection-laws-relief|title=Dodd-Frank Dispatch: "Rural Area" Designation Would Provide Consumer Financial Protection Laws Relief|date=March 17, 2014|publisher=BankersWEB.com|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923182042/http://www.bankersweb.com/headlines/article/rural-area-designation-consumer-financial-protection-laws-relief|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}
In December 2013, Barr introduced H.R. 3775, the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment Act, commonly called the Military SAVE Act. This bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to each operate a program that ensures that veterans and members of the armed forces may receive treatment from private providers for military sexual trauma.{{Cite web|last=Barr|first=Andy|date=2014-01-24|title=H.R.3775 - 113th Congress (2013-2014): Military SAVE Act|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3775|access-date=2021-09-29|website=www.congress.gov}} He has since reintroduced the bill three times.{{Cite web|date=2020-02-06|title=Representatives Barr and Gabbard Reintroduce Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment Act|url=https://barr.house.gov/2020/2/representatives-barr-and-gabbard-reintroduce-military-sexual-assault-victims-empowerment-act|access-date=2021-09-29|website=Congressman Andy Barr|language=en}}
On March 6, 2014, Barr introduced the Restoring Proven Financing for American Employers Act (H.R. 4167; 113th Congress), a bill that would "exempt existing collateralized loan obligations from the so-called Volcker Rule, which bars banks from making risky trades with their own money and limits their investments in certain funds."{{cite news|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2014/04/30/3220338/democrats-call-on-andy-barr-to.html|title=Democrats call on Andy Barr to return $42,808 he collected with indicted lawmaker|last=Cheves|first=John|date=April 30, 2014|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|access-date=May 1, 2014}} The bill passed the House on April 29, 2014, in a voice vote.{{cite web|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4167/all-actions/|title=H.R. 4167 - All Actions|date=April 30, 2014|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=May 1, 2014}}
In December 2017, Barr voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=1|title=How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill|last1=Almukhtar|first1=Sarah|date=December 19, 2017|website=The New York Times|access-date=December 31, 2017}} He introduced the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act, which passed and states that sellers of mobile homes are not loan or mortgage originators and are therefore not subject to the Truth in Lending Act.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews-messenger.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/11/how-area-members-congress-voted/940210001/|title=How area members of Congress voted|website=The News-Messenger|language=en|access-date=December 31, 2017}}
Barr has taken part in legislation targeted at the opioid epidemic. In May 2018, he sponsored the CAREER Act, aimed at providing transitional housing for those recovering from opioid addiction. The bill is currently in committee.{{cite web |title=H.R. 5736 CAREER Act |date=May 9, 2018|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5736}} Barr also helped enact legislation to provide targeted response block grants to states suffering from the opioid epidemic.{{cite web |title=State Grant Programs |url=https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/training-materials-resources/state-grant-programs |publisher=SAMHSA}}{{Failed verification|date=June 2019}} The grants would provide $500 million in funds for the epidemic up to fiscal year 2021. Barr was also key to the University of Kentucky being awarded $87 million by the Department of Health and Human Services as part of a HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) grant to provide help to Kentucky communities hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.{{Cite web|url=https://uknow.uky.edu/research/uk-kentucky-awarded-87-million-lead-effort-combating-nations-opioid-epidemic|title=UK, Kentucky Awarded $87 Million to Lead Effort in Combating Nation's Opioid Epidemic|last=Willett|first=Kristi|date=2019-04-18|website=UKNow|access-date=2019-06-04}}
In October 2018, Barr played a pivotal role in Camp Nelson being designated as Kentucky's first National Monument by the Department of the Interior.{{cite web |title=Presidential Proclamation on the Establishment of the Camp Nelson National Monument |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-establishment-camp-nelson-national-monument/ |publisher=White House.gov}}{{Failed verification|date=June 2019}}
Barr also introduced the Financial Protections for Our Military Families Act in December 2018. The legislation is designed to extend the supervisory authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to credit protections applicable to certain active duty members of the armed forces and their dependents. The bill is currently in committee.{{cite web |title=H.R.7364 |date = December 20, 2018|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/7364/text?format=txt |publisher=Congress.gov}}
In April 2019, Barr introduced H.R. 2196, an amendment to change the required hours for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program from 128 to 120.{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2196|title=H.R.2196 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): To amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce the credit hour requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program of the Department of Veterans Affairs|date=July 31, 2019}} The bill passed and was signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2019.{{cite web |title=Bill Announcement |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/bill-announcement-44/ |website=White House |publisher=The White House |access-date=15 August 2019}}
In October 2019, the Barr-led AWTF's final report laid out key conservative reforms on labor, welfare, and education policy. These reforms would bolster alternative paths in education, improve work flexibility on compensation and paid-time off for employees nationwide, and to enhance the portability of housing vouchers to allow workers to more easily relocate to pursue job opportunities without giving up their housing assistance.
In April 2020, Barr was one of the first members of Congress to call for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19. He then introduced legislation to create a select committee to investigate the virus's origin.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-17|title=Rep. Barr Introduces Legislation Creating Bipartisan, Bicameral Committee to Investigate China over COVID-19|url=https://barr.house.gov/2020/4/rep-barr-introduces-legislation-creating-bipartisan-bicameral-committee-to-investigate-china-over-covid-19|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Congressman Andy Barr|language=en}} Barr reintroduced the bill in May 2021.{{Cite web|last=Conklin|first=Audrey|date=2021-05-28|title=Rep. Barr introduces legislation to form committee on China's handling of COVID-19|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/andy-barr-committee-china-covid-19-origins|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Fox News|language=en-US}}
In May 2020, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy appointed Barr to serve on the House of Representatives China Task Force. The task force was created to provide recommendations to the U.S. to better position itself against the emerging economic, political, military, and technological threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Barr was appointed co-chair of the subgroup on Competitiveness along with the subgroup on Economics and Energy.{{Cite web|last=Conradis|first=Brandon|date=2020-05-07|title=McCarthy unveils new GOP-led China task force|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/496587-mccarthy-unveils-new-gop-led-china-task-force/|access-date=2021-07-26|website=TheHill|language=en}}
In September 2020, Barr's Horseracing and Safety Act passed both the Senate and the House. The bill created the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) for purposes of developing and implementing a horseracing anti-doping and medication control program and a racetrack safety program to ensure the sport's safety and integrity. The bill sets forth other provisions regarding funding, conflicts of interest, and jurisdiction; registration with the authority; program enforcement; rule violations and civil sanctions; testing laboratories; review of final decisions of the authority by an administrative law judge; unfair or deceptive acts or practices; and agreements with state racing commissions. Barr had been an author and advocate for the bill for over six years on the House side with Mitch McConnell advocating for the bill on the Senate side.{{Cite web|last=Tonko|first=Paul|date=2020-09-30|title=H.R.1754 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1754|access-date=2022-02-22|website=www.congress.gov}}{{Cite web |date=2020-12-28 |title='Game changer': Officials praise horse racing safety bill |url=https://apnews.com/article/doping-horse-racing-legislation-6f729369739bc9201e95d56312b82141 |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-12-22 |title=Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Passes in Congress |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/horse-racing-safety-and-integrity-act-passes-in-senate/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=TDN {{!}} Thoroughbred Daily News {{!}} Horse Racing News, Results and Video {{!}} Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions |language=en}} In December 2022, Congress approved an amendment to the HISA Act that gave the bill legal grounds to be enacted after court challenges stalled its implementation.{{Cite web|title=Industry Leaders React to HISA Amendment Approval |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/265600/industry-leaders-react-to-hisa-amendment-approval |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.bloodhorse.com}}{{Cite web |title=House passes spending bill, leaves HISA amendment intact |url=https://www.drf.com/news/house-passes-spending-bill-leaves-hisa-amendment-intact |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.drf.com |language=en}} This amendment was signed into law on December 29, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Carvajal |first=Nikki |date=2022-12-29 |title=Biden signs $1.7 trillion government spending bill into law {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/29/politics/joe-biden-omnibus/index.html |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=CNN |language=en}}
In February 2021, Barr introduced the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy (CAROL) Act. The bill was named in honor of Barr's late wife, Carol, who died in June 2020 of cardiac arrest caused by a ventricular arrhythmia. The bill authorizes a grant program administered by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), supporting research on valvular heart disease and encouraging the use of technological imaging and precision medicine to generate data on people with valvular disease. The bill also directs the NHLBI to conduct a workshop on mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in an effort to develop prescriptive guidelines for treatment of people with MVP. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology endorsed the CAROL Act.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-22 |title=Congressman Barr Introduces the CAROL Act to Honor Carol Leavell Barr, Fight Valvular Heart Disease |url=https://barr.house.gov/2021/2/congressman-barr-introduces-the-carol-act-to-honor-carol-leavell-barr-fight-valvular-heart-disease |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Congressman Andy Barr |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=CAROL Act will prioritize research on heart valve disease |url=https://newsroom.heart.org/news/carol-act-will-prioritize-research-on-heart-valve-disease |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=American Heart Association |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=ACC-Championed CAROL Act Passes in the House |url=https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2021/12/09/14/20/http%3a%2f%2fwww.acc.org%2flatest-in-cardiology%2farticles%2f2021%2f12%2f09%2f14%2f20%2facc-championed-carol-act-passes-in-the-house |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=American College of Cardiology}} On December 20, 2022, it was signed into law.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Barr's CAROL Act Signed Into Law |url=https://barr.house.gov/2022/12/barr-s-carol-act-signed-into-law |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Congressman Andy Barr |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Congressman Andy Barr's CAROL Act honoring his late wife signed into law |url=https://www.lex18.com/news/congressman-andy-barrs-carol-act-honoring-his-late-wife-signed-into-law |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX) |language=en}}
In November 2021, Barr introduced the Equine Tax Fairness Act. This bill modifies the tax treatment of gains and losses from the sale of depreciable property used in a trade or business to eliminate horses from the definition of livestock. This would reduce the holding period for equine assets to be considered long-term capital gains, putting them on a level playing field with other similar assets. The bill also makes permanent the three-year recovery period for the depreciation of racehorses. It has been endorsed by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Jockey Club, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Keeneland, and the American Horse Council.{{Cite web|last=Barr|first=Andy|date=2021-11-03|title=H.R.5833 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Equine Tax Fairness Act|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5833|access-date=2022-02-21|website=www.congress.gov}}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-03 |title=Legislation Introduced to Ease Tax Burden |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/legislation-introduced-to-ease-tax-burden/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=TDN {{!}} Thoroughbred Daily News {{!}} Horse Racing News, Results and Video {{!}} Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-11-05 |title=Barr supports Kentucky's equine industry with new tax incentive bill - Ripon Advance |url=https://riponadvance.com/stories/barr-supports-kentuckys-equine-industry-with-new-tax-incentive-bill/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |language=en-US}}
In February 2023, Barr introduced H.J. Res 30, which would have disapproved the Department of Labor's final rule titled "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights". The bill would have blocked environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing in employer-sponsored retirement plans. On March 20, 2023, after passing the House and the Senate, the bill was vetoed by President Joe Biden, the first veto of Biden's tenure. Biden said he vetoed the bill because it did not "take into consideration investments that would be impacted by climate impacted by overpaying executives".{{Cite web |last=Guynn |first=Rebecca Morin and Jessica |title=Biden issues first veto as president, blocks measure by Congress on 'woke' investment |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/20/biden-first-veto-esg-woke-climate-investing-retirement/11385255002/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-03-09 |title=Barr's Anti-ESG Legislation Sent to President Biden After Bill Signing Ceremony |url=https://barr.house.gov/2023/3/barr-s-anti-esg-legislation-sent-to-president-biden-after-bill-signing-ceremony |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=Congressman Andy Barr |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=House |first=The White |date=2023-03-20 |title=Message to the House of Representatives -- President's Veto of H.J. Res 30 |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/03/20/message-to-the-house-of-representatives-presidents-veto-of-h-j-res-30/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}
=Committee assignments=
For the 118th Congress:{{cite web |title=Andy Barr |url=https://clerk.house.gov/members/B001282 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=June 27, 2023}}
- Committee on Financial Services
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy (chairman)
- Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance and International Financial Institutions
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific
- Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party
= Caucus memberships =
- Republican Study Committee{{cite web|title=Member List|url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/|access-date=November 6, 2017|archive-date=January 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101195017/https://rsc-walker.house.gov/|url-status=dead}}
- Chairman of the RSC American Worker Task Force
- Congressional Horse Caucus (co-chair){{Cite web|title=Committees and Caucuses|url=https://barr.house.gov/committees-and-caucuses|access-date=2021-09-08|website=Congressman Andy Barr|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Barr and Tonko Named Co-Chairs of the Congressional Horse Caucus – American Horse Council|date=October 12, 2015 |url=https://www.horsecouncil.org/press-releases/barr-and-tonko-named-co-chairs-of-the-congressional-horse-caucus/|access-date=2021-09-08|language=en-US}}
- Congressional Bourbon Caucus (co-chair){{Cite web|date=2021-01-27|title=Yarmuth, Barr Renew Congressional Bourbon Caucus for 117th Congress|url=https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/yarmuth-barr-renew-congressional-bourbon-caucus-117th-congress|access-date=2021-09-08|website=Congressman John Yarmuth|language=en}}
- House Baltic Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://housebalticcaucus.webs.com/members|publisher=House Baltic Caucus|access-date=February 21, 2018}}
- Congressional Constitution Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership|publisher=Congressional Constitution Caucus|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614044928/https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=dead}}
- U.S.-Japan Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members| publisher=U.S. - Japan Caucus|access-date=December 1, 2018}}
- Career and Technical Education Caucus{{Cite web|url=https://careerandtechnicaleducationcaucus-langevin.house.gov/members|title=Members {{!}} Career and Technical Education Caucus|website=careerandtechnicaleducationcaucus-langevin.house.gov|access-date=2019-06-04}}
- Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus{{Cite web|url=https://barr.house.gov/committees-and-caucuses|title=Committees and Caucuses|website=Congressman Andy Barr|access-date=2019-06-04}}
- Women Veterans Task Force{{Cite web|url=https://juliabrownley.house.gov/brownley-announces-members-of-the-bipartisan-women-veterans-task-force/|title=Brownley Announces Members of the Bipartisan Women Veterans Task Force|date=2019-05-21|website=Congresswoman Julia Brownley|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-04}}
- Congressional Coalition on Adoption{{Cite web|title=Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute|url=https://www.ccainstitute.org|language=en}}
- Rare Disease Caucus{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=12 March 2025}}
Political positions
=Health care=
Barr supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").{{cite web|last1=Beam|first1=Adam|title=Amid Trump Backlash, Hundreds Question US Rep. Barr|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kentucky/articles/2017-04-24/amid-trump-backlash-hundreds-expected-to-question-barr|website=U.S. News|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=December 31, 2017}}
=Abortion=
Barr is anti-abortion. He believes that abortion should be illegal, including in cases of rape and incest, but supports it if the mother's life is threatened. Barr opposes using federal funding to support organizations that offer abortions. In a 2012 interview, he said, "I think the vast majority of people of this country have come to the conclusion that wherever you are on this issue, we shouldn't have taxpayer funding for abortion."{{cite web|last1=Brammer|first1=Jack|title=Barr says abortion acceptable only when mother's life endangered|url=http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article44387100.html|website=Lexington Herald-Ledger|access-date=December 31, 2017|language=en}}
= LGBT rights =
In the 114th United States Congress, Barr had a zero score from LGBT rights advocacy organization the Human Rights Campaign.{{cite web|url=https://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/114thCongressionalScorecard.pdf|title=Congressional Scorecard|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|access-date=December 31, 2017|page=16}} In 2015, he opposed the Supreme Court ruling Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that same-sex marriage bans violate the Constitution.{{Cite web |title=The Voter's Self Defense System |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/997354/congressman-barr-reacts-to-supreme-court-marriage-ruling |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=Vote Smart}}
=Donald Trump=
Barr said President Donald Trump's comments in the wake of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, were filled with "too much ambiguity."{{cite web|last1=Sonka|first1=Joe|title=McConnell: White nationalist rally not welcome in Kentucky, as 'there are no good neo-Nazis' - Insider Louisville|url=https://insiderlouisville.com/metro/mcconnell-white-nationalist-rally-not-welcome-in-kentucky-there-are-no-good-neo-nazis/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817014758/https://insiderlouisville.com/metro/mcconnell-white-nationalist-rally-not-welcome-in-kentucky-there-are-no-good-neo-nazis/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 17, 2017|website=Insider Louisville|access-date=December 31, 2017|date=August 16, 2017}}
Amid the Trump–Ukraine scandal, where an impeachment inquiry was launched into Trump after he requested that the Ukrainian president investigate 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, Barr defended Trump's actions, characterizing his request of the Ukrainian president as "routine diplomacy".{{Cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/27/trump-impeachment-andy-barr-says-ukraine-call-routine-diplomacy/3785484002/|title=US Rep. Andy Barr: Trump's conversation with Ukraine leader was 'routine diplomacy'|last=Bailey|first=Phillip M.|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en|access-date=2019-10-13}}
On December 18, 2019, Barr voted against both articles of impeachment against Trump.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
On January 13, 2021, Barr voted against Trump's second impeachment.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
= Environment and energy =
Of climate change, Barr said in 2019, "Some say the science is settled. That's not true. There are scientists who dispute the level of warming, the extent to which humans are contributing to that."{{Cite web|url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/pure-politics/2019/04/16/rep--andy-barr-speaks-on-green-energy-and-the-green-new-deal|title=Rep. Andy Barr speaks on green energy and the Green New Deal|website=spectrumnews1.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-22}} In 2013, Barr said, "Coal does contribute to climate change."{{Cite web|url=https://wfpl.org/where-do-kentuckys-congressmen-stand-climate-change-hard-tell/|title=Where Do Kentucky's Congressmen Stand on Climate Change? Hard to Tell|last=Peterson|first=Erica|date=2013|website=89.3 WFPL News Louisville|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-22}} Barr opposes a carbon tax.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/policy/environment/climate/article222424225.html|title=Trump report says climate change is coming for Kentucky, but lawmakers are skeptical|last=Slitz|first=Alex|website=mcclatchydc|language=en|access-date=2019-04-22}}
In 2019, Barr invited Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to his district to hear how the Green New Deal, of which Ocasio-Cortez is a leading proponent, would affect coal miners. Ocasio-Cortez accepted the invitation. Shortly thereafter, Barr withdrew his invitation, citing her "lack of civility" toward Dan Crenshaw.{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2019 |title=GOP lawmaker withdraws invite for AOC to visit Kentucky mine |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-s-getting-scared-ocasio-cortez-swipes-back-after-republican-n995501 |access-date=2019-04-22 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Ocasio-Cortez responded that Barr was waffling.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/18/aoc-invited-andy-barr-bronx-to-discuss-climate-change-but-he-said-no/3505948002/|title=Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: I invited Barr to the Bronx to talk climate change. He said no.|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=2019-04-22}}
=Israel=
Barr has generally been supportive of Israel, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Gaza war. In the war's first months, he voted for a motion that declared the House of Representatives' solidarity with Israel{{Cite news |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |date=2023-10-25 |title=House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/politics/house-israel-vote.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=2023-10-25 |title=Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}} and wrote an op-ed for the Lexington Herald-Leader wherein he advocated for Israel's interests over those of Hamas and Palestinian civilians.{{Cite web |last=Barr |first=Andy |date=2023-12-04 |title=Rep. Andy Barr: I stand proudly with Israel in its war against Hamas. |url=https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article282644578.html |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=Lexington Herald-Leader}} In 2024, he exhorted Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to not accept the International Criminal Court's finding that Israeli security forces had credibly broken international laws{{Cite web |last=Catanese |first=David |date=2024-05-24 |title=Rep. Barr to Blinken: Don't accuse Israel of breaking international law in Gaza |url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-05-24/us-congressman-confronts-blinken-comment-israel-gaza-13966384.html |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=Stars and Stripes |language=en}} and praised Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint session of Congress, professing the intertwining of American and Israeli interests and the necessity of the countries working together to "defeat Hamas and other Iranian proxies."{{Cite web |last1=Knickmeyer|first1=Ellen|last2=Amiri|first2=Farnoush|last3=Khalil|first3=Ashraf|date=2024-07-24|title=In fiery speech to Congress, Netanyahu vows 'total victory' in Gaza and denounces US protesters |url=https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-congress-gaza-hamas-israel-6ea5daf3cd1988b0ad6e874bd450f9bf |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=AP News |language=en}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District Republican Primary, 2010{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/Election%20Results/2010-2019/2010/off2010pri.pdf|title=2010 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Garland "Andy" Barr
| votes = 31255
| percentage = 63.93
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Mike Templeman
| votes = 4789
| percentage = 9.80
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Matt Lockett
| votes = 4070
| percentage = 8.33
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = John T. Kemper III
| votes = 3454
| percentage = 7.07
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = George Pendergrass
| votes = 3438
| percentage = 7.03
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Perry Wilson Barnes
| votes = 1880
| percentage = 3.85
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 48886
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District General Election, 2010{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/Election%20Results/2010-2019/2010/off2010gen.pdf|title=2010 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ben Chandler (incumbent)
| votes = 119812
| percentage = 50.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Garland "Andy" Barr
| votes = 119164
| percentage = 49.81
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| party = Write-in votes
| candidate = C. Wes Collins
| votes = 225
| percentage = 0.09
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| party = Write-in votes
| candidate = Randolph S. Vance
| votes = 22
| percentage = 0.01
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 239223
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District Republican Primary, 2012{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/Election%20Results/2010-2019/2012/2012offpriresults.pdf|title=2012 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Garland "Andy" Barr
| votes = 20104
| percentage = 82.80
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Patrick J. Kelly II
| votes = 2823
| percentage = 11.63
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Curtis Kenimer
| votes = 1354
| percentage = 5.58
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 24281
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District General Election, 2012{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/Election%20Results/2010-2019/2012/2012genresults.pdf|title=2012 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Garland "Andy" Barr
| votes = 153222
| percentage = 50.57
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ben Chandler (incumbent)
| votes = 141438
| percentage = 46.68
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independent politician
| candidate = Randolph Vance
| votes = 8340
| percentage = 2.75
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 303000
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District General Election, 2014{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/Election%20Results/2010-2019/2014/2014%20General%20Election%20Results.pdf|title=2014 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| votes = 147404
| percentage = 59.99
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Elisabeth Jensen
| votes = 98290
| percentage = 40.01
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 245694
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District Republican Primary, 2016{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/results/2010-2019/Documents/2016%20primary%20election%20results.pdf|title=2016 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| votes = 25212
| percentage = 84.55
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Roger Q. Brill
| votes = 4608
| percentage = 15.45
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 29820
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District General Election, 2016{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/results/2010-2019/Documents/2016%20General%20Election%20Results.pdf|title=2016 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| votes = 202099
| percentage = 61.09
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Nancy Jo Kemper
| votes = 128728
| percentage = 38.91
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 330827
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District Republican primary, 2018{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/results/Documents/June%205%202018%20Certification.pdf|title=2018 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| votes = 40514
| percentage = 83.76
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Chuck Eddy
| votes = 7858
| percentage = 16.24
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 48372
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District general election, 2018{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/results/2010-2019/Documents/2018GeneralElectionCertified.pdf|title=2018 Primary and General Election Results|publisher=Kentucky State Board of Elections|access-date=January 28, 2020}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| votes = 154468
| percentage = 51.00
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Amy McGrath
| votes = 144736
| percentage = 47.79
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Frank Harris
| votes = 2150
| percentage = 0.71
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independent politician
| candidate = Rikka L. Wallin
| votes = 1011
| percentage = 0.33
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independent politician
| candidate = James Germalic
| votes = 523
| percentage = 0.17
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 302888
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District Republican Primary, 2020
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 62,706
| percentage = 90.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Chuck Eddy
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 3,636
| percentage = 5.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Geoff Young
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,765
| percentage = 4.0
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 69,107
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, 2020
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 216,948
| percentage = 57.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Josh Hicks
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 155,011
| percentage = 41.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Frank Harris
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| votes = 6,491
| percentage = 1.7
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 378,450
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky 6th Congressional District Republican
Primary, 2022
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 47,659
| percentage = 87.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Derek Petteys
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,593
| percentage = 12.2
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 54,252
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change
| title = Kentucky's 6th Congressional District General Election, 2022
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 154,539
| percentage = 62.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Geoff Young
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 82,897
| percentage = 33.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Randy Cravens
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 8,340
| percentage = 3.4
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 245,844
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change |title=Kentucky's 6th Congressional District General Election, 2024{{cite web |title=November 5, 2024 Official 2024 General Election Results |url=https://elect.ky.gov/results/2020-2029/Documents/2024%20General%20Election%20Certification%20as%20Amended%20on%20December%209th%202024.pdf |website=elect.ky.gov |publisher=Kentucky Secretary of State |access-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116091107/https://elect.ky.gov/results/2020-2029/Documents/2024%20General%20Election%20Certification%20as%20Amended%20on%20December%209th%202024.pdf |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |page=16 |url-status=live}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Andy Barr (incumbent)
|votes =222,293
|percentage =63.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Cravens
|votes =130,345
|percentage =37.0
}}
{{Election box total no change
|votes =352,638
|percentage =100.0
}}{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)}}
{{Election box end}}
Personal life
In 2008, Barr married Eleanor Carol Leavell of Georgetown, Kentucky, who previously served as the executive director of the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship. They had two daughters.{{cite web|title=Andy Barr Biography|url=http://barr.house.gov/about/full-biography|website=U.S. House of Representatives|access-date=November 20, 2014}} Barr's wife died unexpectedly on June 16, 2020, at age 39, of natural causes from ventricular arrhythmia caused by a heart condition known as mitral valve prolapse, at the family's home in Lexington.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-17|title=Congressman Andy Barr's wife dies unexpectedly|url=https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/congressman-andy-barrs-wife-dies-unexpectedly|access-date=2020-06-17|website=WLEX|language=en}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/17/us/politics/carol-barr-dead.html|title = Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr, Wife of Kentucky Congressman, Dies at 39|work = The New York Times|date = June 17, 2020|access-date = June 17, 2020|last = Hauser|first = Christine}}{{Cite web|title=Coroner Reveals Cause of Death for Congressman's Wife, 39, Whose Body Was Found in Her Home Office|url=https://people.com/politics/andy-barr-wife-carol-darr-died-mitral-valve-prolapse/|access-date=2021-09-19|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=What is floppy valve syndrome? Condition blamed for death of congressman's wife, 39|url=https://www.today.com/health/what-mitral-valve-prolapse-t184560|access-date=2021-09-19|website=TODAY.com|date=June 18, 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-03-03|title=Rep. Barr: Honoring Carol Barr by Taking on Heart Valve Disease|url=https://barr.house.gov/2021/3/rep-barr-honoring-carol-barr-by-taking-on-heart-valve-disease|access-date=2021-09-19|website=Congressman Andy Barr|language=en}}
In April 2023, Barr married Davis Huffman.{{cite web |last1=Comms |first1=Andy Barr |title=Team Barr Announces the Marriage of Congressman Barr and Ms. Davis Huffman |url=https://www.andybarrforcongress.com/team-barr-announces-the-marriage-of-congressman-barr-and-ms-davis-huffman/ |website=Andy Barr For Congress |access-date=20 July 2023 |date=22 April 2023}} They now have a son of their own. {{cite web | url=https://barr.house.gov/about-andy-bio | title=About Andy }}
Barr is an Episcopalian.{{cite web|title=Episcopalians bring faith perspectives to Congress on both sides of political aisle|url=https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2017/11/09/episcopalians-bring-faith-perspectives-to-congress-on-both-sides-of-political-aisle/|publisher=Episcopal News Service|first=David|last=Paulsen|date=November 9, 2017|access-date=January 16, 2021}}
References
{{Portal|Kentucky}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://barr.house.gov/ Congressman Andy Barr] official U.S. House website
- [http://andybarrforcongress.com/ Andy Barr for Congress]
- {{C-SPAN|61848}}
- {{CongLinks | congbio=B001282 | votesmart=117290 | fec=H0KY06104 | congress=andy-barr/2131 }}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=Ben Chandler}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 6th congressional district|years=2013–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=Dina Titus}}
{{s-ttl|title=United States representatives by seniority|years=99th}}
{{s-aft|after=Joyce Beatty}}
{{s-end}}
{{KY-FedRep}}
{{USHouseCurrent}}
{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 113th–present United States Congress |state=Kentucky}}
{{USCongRep/KY/113}}
{{USCongRep/KY/114}}
{{USCongRep/KY/115}}
{{USCongRep/KY/116}}
{{USCongRep/KY/117}}
{{USCongRep/KY/118}}
{{USCongRep/KY/119}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barr, Andy}}
Category:21st-century Kentucky politicians
Category:Politicians from Lexington, Kentucky
Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky
Category:University of Kentucky College of Law alumni
Category:University of Virginia alumni
Category:American Episcopalians
Category:Sigma Alpha Epsilon members
Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives