Republican Andy Barr was re-elected for his third term as state representative for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District.

Barr was initially elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and sought a second re-election this year against opponent Nancy Jo Kemper.

“Congressmen Barr has said that, in meeting with his constituents, it’s their view that the country is on the wrong track and that we need to change course,” Rick VanMeter, Director of Communications for Barr’s campaign, said.

Barr thanked his voters and commended them for their hard work in his re-election. He said he did not run for a career, but he ran for a cause.

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“I want to represent you and I appreciate your participation in this election. I will continue to represent all of the people in this district,” Barr said.

He said he has focused on several policies while he has represented Kentucky’s 6th congressional district including drug addiction, poverty, debt and healthcare costs in the Commonwealth.

Barr has pushed for change on the access to capital for small business owners, according to his website.

“Kentuckians deserve the kind of accessible and accountable representation that we have provided to them over the last four years,” Barr said. “In the next two years, our pledge to the people of this district is that we will continue to advocate for all of you.”

At the Campbell House with his family by his side, Barr talked of the importance of voting in not only local elections, but in the presidential race as well.

Barr thanked Kemper for the competition she had provided and stressed the need for such competition in today’s democracy.

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He said that she ran a great campaign and hopes that they will be able to work together in the upcoming years in representing the district.

Kemper is a reverend and progressive activist as well as a Lexington native. Her major talking points in this race were campaign finance reform, healthcare reform and environmental conservation.

Kemper has been one of Andy Barr’s biggest critics, sometimes referring to him as “mini Trump,” and criticizing him on education policy and his relationship with big banks.

While new to the political sphere, her supporters felt confident in her ability to reach across the aisle and create legislation up until the last minute.

“Its going to take people saying that we’ve had enough to make people work hard and work together as opposed to be in an ongoing fight against the other party. If Sen. Mitch McConnell continues to fight Obama on the appointment to the supreme court then shame on him,” Kemper said. “It is to the detriment to the United States of America that these politicians are doing this.”

Her election watch party was held at Manchester Music Hall in conjunction with Mayor Jim Gray’s campaign event.

Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow democrats, she congratulated Barr on his win and reminded supporters that politics are a marathon rather than a sprint.