...
By Andrew Stanton
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Elon Musk has donated $10 million to Nate Morris, a Republican businessman trailing in primary polls who is running to fill Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell's seat in the U.S. Senate race.
Newsweek reached out to leading campaigns in Kentucky's Senate race for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The Tesla CEO's donation may be a financial boost to Morris’ campaign as he faces well-known Republican primary opponents, including former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Kentucky Representative Andy Barr.
Read More on Politics
Whoever prevails during that primary will be viewed as the favorite to win the general election, as Kentucky remains a solidly conservative state that gave President Donald Trump more than 64 percent of its vote in the 2024 presidential race.
What To Know
Musk has become a major Republican donor, and his $10 million pledge to Morris, first reported by Axios, suggests that the billionaire may continue donating to candidates despite his falling out with Trump last year. Musk had floated the idea of starting a third party, but has remained supportive of Republicans.
Axios also reported that Musk donated to pro-GOP super PACs supporting House and Senate candidates.
...
The latest polls of the race show Morris trailing Cameron and Barr among the GOP electorate. Notably, the public polling on the race consists of internals, rather than independent surveys.
A poll conducted by the firm OnMessage Inc. showed Cameron leading with 40 percent support, while Barr followed with 25 percent. Morris placed third with 13 percent, while 22 percent were still undecided. It surveyed 600 likely Republican primary voters in Kentucky from January 5-8, 2026 and had a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.
That poll was commissioned by Kentucky First Action, aligned with Cameron.
A poll released by Barr’s campaign and conducted by UpONE Insights showed Cameron leading with 42 percent, Barr following with 25 percent and Morris in third with 10 percent. It surveyed 600 GOP primary voters from October 13-14, 2025 and had a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.
At the time, Barr’s campaign cast the election as a “two-man race,” calling Morris’ campaign “dead broke and dead last.”
Morris is a businessman who founded Rubicon Technologies. He has touted endorsements from prominent conservatives, including Vivek Ramaswamy. Morris was the final candidate that Charlie Kirk endorsed for the Senate before the conservative activist was assassinated last September, Fox News reported.
His odds of winning the GOP primary jumped in Kalshi’s betting markets following the donation; he held a 45 percent chance of winning, compared to Barr’s 34 percent chance and Cameron’s 19 percent chance.
Only one general election poll has been made public. The Public Policy Polling survey, sponsored by Democratic candidate Charles Booker, showed Morris leading him by one point (41 percent to 40 percent). It surveyed 650 registered voters from December 18-19, 2025, according to The New York Times.
What People Are Saying
Andy Barr's campaign manager, Blake Gober, responded to the donation in a statement: “The more money Nate Morris spends, the more Kentuckians get to see him and the worse he does. Nate Morris and his never-Trump allies have already spent $6 million on TV, and he’s stuck in a distant third and statistically tied with a DEMOCRAT in a Kentucky general election poll.
Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, wrote on X: "Are we really living in a democracy when the richest man on earth can spend as much as he wants to elect his candidates? The most important thing our nation can do is end Citizens United and move to public funding of elections. Billionaires can’t be allowed to buy elections."
"It’s because Kentuckians are learning the truth about Nate: he supported Nikki Haley over President Trump, his business was de-listed from the NYSE after one year because it was a disaster, and he was a DEI promoting CEO. Nate Morris spending money made this a two man race between Andy Barr and Daniel Cameron. Nate Morris spending more money will cement it that way.”
Senator Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican, wrote on X: “Huge news for my friend @NateMorris! Nate will be a great senator for Kentucky.”
Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet wrote on X: “Let’s go!! @NateMorris was one of Charlie’s last endorsements. He’s fighting the McConnell Machine, and he needs our help to defeat it. If we want the Senate to change, we need better senators. Ground Zero is Kentucky.”
What Happens Next
Kentucky’s primary is set for May 19, 2026, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Forecasters view Republicans as the favorite to hold the seat. Neither the Cook Political Report nor Sabato’s Crystal Ball view it as competitive.
Update 1/19/26, 5:40 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines