GOP Rep. Andy Barr wins re-election in Kentucky: NBC News

KEY POINTS

• Three-term Republican Rep. Andy Barr survives a strong challenge from Democrat Amy McGrath, according to NBC News projections.
• This was one of the most expensive House races in the country.

UNITED STATES - APRIL 13: Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., leaves the Capitol after the last votes of the week on April 13, 2018.

Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call Group | Getty Images

Three-term Republican Rep. Andy Barr survived a strong challenge from Democrat Amy McGrath, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who was the first female Marine to fly in an F-18 on a combat mission, according to NBC News.

The race for the Kentucky 6th District seat generated national media attention, as both parties viewed the campaign as an important early bellwether of whether Democrats could succeed in taking back control of the House from Republicans.

The district is divided between the heavily Democratic city of Lexington and more conservative Republican counties outside the city.

This was one of the most expensive House races in the country.

McGrath outraised her GOP opponent with about $4.8 million, approximately three-fourths of that coming from out of state. But Barr's campaign benefited from more than $4 million spent by outside groups, most of it on attack ads against McGrath.

Kentucky's 6th has voted solidly Republican in the last three presidential elections, electing Republicans by double digits. President Donald Trump won the district in 2016 by 15 points. Voters last sent a Democrat to Congress from the district in 2010.