Former President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking to replace longtime Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell with a loyal ally, but concern is growing within Trump’s inner circle over front-runner Rep. Andy Barr’s past donations to House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in 2021. While Barr himself voted against impeachment, he had criticized Trump’s behavior during the January 6 Capitol riot as “irresponsible” and “not blameless.”

Barr, now running for McConnell’s Senate seat in Kentucky, contributed through his leadership PAC to four Republican lawmakers who supported Trump’s second impeachment, including Reps. Anthony Gonzalez, John Katko, David Valadao, and Jaime Herrera Beutler. Trump had previously targeted these lawmakers and urged primary challenges against them. Some of Barr’s donations came months after Trump publicly condemned the group.

Sources close to Trump view Barr as too closely aligned with McConnell, raising doubts about his loyalty. They argue that Barr’s support for impeachment backers shows he may not stand with Trump during difficult moments. Loyalty is expected to be a major factor in Trump’s endorsement decisions, especially as he plans for a second term.

Barr’s opponents in the race include Daniel Cameron, who recently lost the governor’s race despite Trump’s endorsement, and businessman Nate Morris, who donated to Nikki Haley in 2021. Barr’s spokesman has pushed back, arguing that Barr has supported Trump’s agenda and that his PAC’s hundreds of donations shouldn’t be narrowly interpreted.

Trump won Kentucky by a wide margin in 2020, giving his endorsement considerable weight in the upcoming 2026 GOP primary for McConnell’s seat.