Nate Morris, the former U.S. Senate candidate from Kentucky nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the country’s ambassador to Colombia, is one step closer to taking on the role — though he faced tough questions Aug. 5 from one senator about his rhetoric on the campaign trail.
At a hearing in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Morris showed no remorse when asked about the blistering attacks he aimed at retiring U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell leading up to the Republican primary, which was eventually won by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr after Trump announced he planned to offer Morris an ambassadorship.
Most questions Morris took during the hearing on Capitol Hill concerned how he would build a better relationship between the U.S. and Colombia, which is set to inaugurate a new president this month who’s much more in line with Trump than his outgoing predecessor, Gustavo Petro.
But Republican U.S. Sen. John Curtis of Utah took time toward the end of the discussion to note Morris had taken part in a “heated campaign” that was largely built around criticism of McConnell, who’s represented Kentucky in the chamber since 1985.
Businessman and U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris during a televised debate for Republican U.S. Senate nomination at the Henry Clay Building hosted by WDRB in Louisville, Kentucky. March 16, 2026.
While noting the job of a candidate is “very different from that of a diplomat,” Curtis asked Morris, a vocal Trump supporter, how he would host politicians and others whose political views are not aligned with his own, and whether he had any regrets upon reflection. He did not name McConnell, who’s been out of the Senate since June amid health issues, but the implication was clear.
“Obviously campaigns are very spirited … I’m very proud of the campaign that we ran and I think obviously getting the nomination from the president was one of the great honors of my life,” Morris said.
“I think the way that we exited our campaign as well tells you everything you need to know about my character,” he added, saying he’d worked throughout his time on the trail to bring people together. “… I think we were met with tremendous enthusiasm from Kentuckians.”
“No regrets,” Curtis interjected at multiple points, clearly disappointed, before adding “you’re still acting like a candidate” before concluding his questioning.
During the questioning, the only tense moment of the hearing that took place alongside two other ambassador nominees, Morris expressed optimism that his background as an entrepreneur and businessman would help him work with others who do not share his political beliefs.
“I recognize that being a political candidate is a much different job than a diplomat, but what I can tell you is that in my role in the private sector I had to wear many hats and I’ve had many experiences and I want to draw upon all of those experiences in Bogota if confirmed,” said Morris, who was a skilled political fundraiser before his first foray as a candidate.
Before running for the Senate seat McConnell will vacate at the end of 2026, Morris spent several years running Rubicon Technologies, a waste management company he founded in 2008 and took public before stepping down as CEO in 2022. Morris was backed by Charlie Kirk during his campaign before the conservative pundit was killed in a shooting and has ties to several notable names in Trump’s orbit, including Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr.
Morris launched his campaign in 2025 with an ad where he was shown throwing away a cardboard cutout of McConnell, and he frequently spoke out against the longtime senator during his campaign, as well as the two other GOP frontrunners, Barr and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Morris endorsed Barr immediately after dropping out of the race in early May, after Trump announced plans to offer him a role as an ambassador.
At the Aug. 5 hearing, Morris repeatedly said his experience as an entrepreneur would help him in the role if confirmed, saying his priorities would include stopping drug trade and illegal immigration while expanding economic growth and serving Americans traveling to and from the South American nation, which shares a border to its north with Panama.
“It is one of the most strategic posts in the world … the future of American foreign policy rests on America’s dominance in the Western Hemisphere,” Morris said as he expressed optimism about Colombia’s future under incoming President Abelardo de la Espriella, set to be inaugurated Aug. 7.
No votes were taken at the hearing. If approved by the committee, Morris’ nomination would head before the full Senate for confirmation.
Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Nate Morris holds firm when pressed by senator on McConnell criticism
