2026 United States Senate election in Kentucky
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Kentucky will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Kentucky. Primary elections will be held on May 19, 2026. Incumbent Republican U.S. senator Mitch McConnell declined to run for re-election to an eighth term.[1]
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November 3, 2026
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This will be the first open Senate election in Kentucky since 2010, and the first to this seat since 1972. Kentucky has been represented exclusively by Republicans in the U.S. Senate since 1999, Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate race there since 1992 and have not won this seat since 1978.
Background
Kentucky, a Southern state in the Bible Belt, is generally considered to be a Republican stronghold, having not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1992. Republicans control both U.S. Senate seats, all but two statewide executive offices, supermajorities in both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly, and all but one seat in Kentucky's U.S. House delegation.[2] Democrats control both the governorship and lieutenant-governorship, which flipped from Republican control in 2019.[3]
McConnell was first elected in 1984, defeating then-incumbent Walter Dee Huddleston, and was re-elected in six subsequent elections.[4]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Andy Barr, U.S. representative from Kentucky's 6th congressional district (2013–present)[5]
- Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky attorney general (2019–2024) and nominee for governor in 2023[6]
- Anissa Catlett, sourcing supply chain manager[7]
- James D. Duncan, professional farrier[7][8]
- Michael Faris, helicopter maintenance business owner[9]
- Valerie Fredrick, medical doctor, farmer and candidate for senate in 2022[7]
- Jonathan M. Holliday, veteran and former Lexington police officer[7]
- Jimmy I. Leon, veteran and educator[7]
- Andrew "Nick" Shelley, volunteer firefighter[10]
- George Washington, filmmaker (no relation to President George Washington)[7]
- Donald Wenzel, owner and CEO of Rockdale Farming and Business Ventures, LLC[7]
Withdrawn
- Nate Morris, business conglomerate owner (endorsed Barr)[11][12]
Declined
- James Comer, U.S. representative for Kentucky's 1st congressional district (2016–present) (running for re-election)[13]
- Mitch McConnell, incumbent U.S. senator (1985–present)[14]
- David Osborne, speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives (2018–present) from the 59th district (2005–present)[15]
- Damon Thayer, former state senator from the 17th district (2003–2025)[16]
- Thomas Massie, U.S. representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district (2012–present) (running for re-election)[17]
Endorsements
Andy Barr
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[18]
- Markwayne Mullin, U.S. secretary of homeland security (2026–present)[19]
- Kelly Craft, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (2019–2021)[20]
- U.S. senators
- John Thune, Senate majority leader (2025–present) from South Dakota (2005–present)[21]
- Ted Budd, North Carolina (2023–present)[22]
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas (2015–present)[20]
- Tim Scott, South Carolina (2013–present)[21]
- U.S. representatives
- Steve Scalise, House majority leader (2023–present) from LA-01 (2008–present)[23]
- 120 other U.S. representatives[a]
- State legislators
- Mike Wilson, majority whip of the Kentucky Senate from SD-32 (2011–present)[27]
- Max Wise, majority leader of the Kentucky Senate (2025–present) from SD-16 (2015–present)[28]
- David Meade, speaker pro tempore of the Kentucky House of Representatives (2019–present) from HD-80 (2013–present)[29]
- Amanda Mays Bledsoe, SD-12 (2023–present)[30]
- Greg Elkins, SD-28 (2023–present)[31]
- Scott Madon, SD-29 (2025–present)[30]
- Phillip Wheeler,SD-31 (2019–present)[30]
- Kim King, HD-55 (2011–present)[30]
- Damon Thayer, former majority leader of the Kentucky Senate from SD-17 (2013–2025)[32]
- Killian Timoney, former HD-45 (2021–2025)[33]
- Individuals
- Joe Craft, businessman[20]
- Riley Gaines, conservative activist and former swimmer[34]
- Nate Morris, businessman[12]
- Organizations
Daniel Cameron
- State legislators
- Savannah Maddox, HD-61 (2019–present)[36]
- T. J. Roberts, HD-66 (2025–present)[37]
- Gex Williams, HD-24 (1993–1999) and HD-20 (2023–present)[37]
- Organizations
Michael Faris
- Organizations
Nate Morris (withdrawn)
- Executive branch officials
- Steve Bannon, former senior counselor to the President (2017)[41]
- Elon Musk, former senior advisor to the President (2025) (Independent)[42]
- U.S. senators
- State legislators
- John Hodgson, HD-36 (2022–present)[45]
- Individuals
- Benny Johnson, conservative commentator[46]
- Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point Action (deceased)[47]
- Vivek Ramaswamy, former CEO of Roivant Sciences[48]
- Organizations
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Andy Barr (R) | $7,968,106 | $7,486,809 | $4,174,374 |
| Daniel Cameron (R) | $2,060,372 | $1,295,627 | $764,745 |
| Michael Faris (R) | $61,529 | $78,371 | $0 |
| Nate Morris (R) | $7,028,611 | $6,448,016 | $580,594 |
| Donald Wenzel (R) | $2,431 | $2,431 | $0 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[53] | |||
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Andy Barr |
Daniel Cameron |
Nate Morris |
Other/ Undecided[b] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decision Desk HQ[54] | through May 11, 2026 | May 17, 2026 | 37.1% | 27.3% | 10.1% | 25.5% | Barr +9.8% |
| Race to the WH[55] | through May 11, 2026 | May 17, 2026 | 38.1% | 24.2% | 10.4% | 27.3%[c] | Barr +13.9% |
| FiftyPlusOne[56] | through May 11, 2026 | May 17, 2026 | 44.1% | 25.4% | 8.6% | 21.9% | Barr +18.7% |
| Aggregate | 39.8% | 25.6% | 9.7% | 24.9% | Barr +14.2% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Andy Barr |
Daniel Cameron |
Nate Morris |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UpONE Insights (R)[57][A] | May 9–11, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 46% | 27% | 8% | 3%[e] | 16% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R)[58][B] | May 3–5, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 43% | 24% | 9% | 5%[f] | 19% |
| Trump endorses Barr, Morris withdraws from the race and endorses Barr | ||||||||
| UpONE Insights (R)[57][A] | April 2026 | – (LV) | – | 33% | 32% | 13% | 5%[e] | 17% |
| Emerson College[59][C] | March 29–31, 2026 | 549 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 28% | 21% | 15% | 6%[g] | 29% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R)[60][B] | March 10–12, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 29% | 31% | 13% | – | 27% |
| UpONE Insights (R)[57][A] | March 2026 | – (LV) | – | 26% | 42% | 12% | – | 20% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[61] | February 4, 2026 | 870 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 28% | 27% | 17% | 9%[h] | 19% |
| Emerson College[62][D] | January 31 – February 2, 2026 | 523 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 24% | 21% | 14% | 4%[i] | 37% |
| UpONE Insights (R)[57][A] | February 2026 | – (LV) | – | 29% | 33% | 12% | – | 26% |
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[63][E] | January 27–29, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 21% | 29% | 18% | – | 32% |
| OnMessage Inc. (R)[64][F] | January 5–8, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 25% | 40% | 13% | – | 22% |
| UpONE Insights (R)[57][A] | January 2026 | – (LV) | – | 27% | 42% | 11% | – | 20% |
| UpOne Insights (R)[65][A] | October 13–14, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 25% | 42% | 10% | – | 23% |
| co/efficient (R)[66][G] | October 8–10, 2025 | 911 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 22% | 39% | 8% | 4%[j] | 27% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R)[67][A] | September 2–4, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 29% | 37% | 8% | – | 26% |
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[63] | August 2025 | – (V) | – | 17% | 40% | 5% | – | 38% |
| UpOne Insights (R)[65][A] | August 2025 | – (V) | – | 19% | 39% | 10% | – | 32% |
| McLaughlin & Associates (R)[68][G] | April 13–15, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 18% | 44% | 2% | – | 36% |
| UpONE Insights (R)[57][A] | March 2025 | – (LV) | – | 21% | 51% | 3% | – | 25% |
| co/efficient (R)[69] | February 25–26, 2025 | 1,134 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 18% | 39% | 3% | 11%[k] | 31% |
| UpOne Insights (R)[65][A] | Mid–February 2025 | – (V) | – | 19% | 47% | 3% | – | 31% |
| co/efficient (R)[70] | December 2–3, 2024 | 1,298 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 12% | 37% | 1% | 14%[l] | 36% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Joshua Blanton Sr., U.S. Army veteran[71][72]
- Charles Booker, former state representative (2019–2021), nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022 and candidate in 2020[73][72]
- Logan Forsythe, attorney[74]
- Amy McGrath, member of the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors (2022–present), nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020, and nominee for Kentucky's 6th congressional district in 2018[75]
- Dale Romans, horse trainer[76]
- Pamela Stevenson, minority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 43rd district (2021–present) and nominee for Attorney General in 2023[77]
- Vincent Thompson, farmer[78]
Withdrawn
Declined
- Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky (2019–present)[81]
- Jacqueline Coleman, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky (2019–present) (running for governor in 2027)[82]
Endorsements
Charles Booker
- Executive branch officials
- Deval Patrick, former governor of Massachusetts (2007–2015) and U.S. assistant attorney general for civil rights (1994–1997)[83]
- U.S. representatives
- John Yarmuth, former KY-3 (2007–2023)[84]
- Labor unions
- AFL-CIO Kentucky[85]
- Communications Workers of America Kentucky[85]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers[85]
- Organizations
- Political parties
Amy McGrath
- Newspapers
Dale Romans
- Individuals
- James Carville, political consultant[90]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of March 30, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Charles Booker (D) | $368,365 | $170,265 | $198,100 |
| Logan Forsythe (D)[note 1] | $46,938 | $43,805 | $3,133 |
| Amy McGrath (D) | $1,942,704 | $1,631,150 | $311,554 |
| Dale Romans (D) | $821,111 | $380,233 | $440,878 |
| Pamela Stevenson (D)[note 2] | $266,963 | $242,099 | $24,864 |
| Joel Willett (D)[note 1] | $350,036 | $321,249 | $28,787 |
Source: Federal Election Commission[53] | |||
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Charles Booker |
Logan Forsythe |
Amy McGrath |
Dale Romans |
Pamela Stevenson |
Vincent Thompson |
Other/ Undecided[m] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race to the WH[55] | through February 5, 2026 | February 5, 2026 | 35.7% | 2.0% | 18.1% | 0.8% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 38.6% | Booker +17.6% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Charles Booker |
Logan Forsythe |
Amy McGrath |
Pamela Stevenson |
Joel Willett |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[59][C] | March 29–31, 2026 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 36% | – | 18% | 3% | – | – | 38% |
| Emerson College[62][D] | January 31 – February 2, 2026 | 523 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 30% | 1% | 19% | 4% | – | 3%[n] | 43% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[91] | October 17–18, 2025 | 590 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 33% | 2% | 30% | 3% | 1% | – | 31% |
Independents
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[94] | Solid R | January 12, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[95] | Solid R | January 12, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[96] | Safe R | January 29, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[97] | Safe R | February 2, 2026 |
Polling
Andy Barr vs. Charles Booker
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Andy Barr (R) |
Charles Booker (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[98][H] | December 18–19, 2025 | 650 (V) | – | 49% | 38% | 13% |
Daniel Cameron vs. Charles Booker
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Daniel Cameron (R) |
Charles Booker (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[98][H] | December 18–19, 2025 | 650 (V) | – | 46% | 39% | 15% |
Nate Morris vs. Charles Booker
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Nate Morris (R) |
Charles Booker (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[98][H] | December 18–19, 2025 | 650 (V) | – | 41% | 40% | 19% |
Hypothetical polling
Generic Republican vs. Charles Booker
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Generic Republican |
Charles Booker (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[98][H] | December 18–19, 2025 | 650 (V) | – | 50% | 36% | 14% |
Generic Republican vs. Amy McGrath
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Generic Republican |
Amy McGrath (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[98][H] | December 18–19, 2025 | 650 (V) | – | 51% | 35% | 14% |
Notes
- Robert Aderholt, AL-04 (1997–present)[24]
- Mark Alford, MO-04 (2023–present)[24]
- Rick Allen, GA-12 (2015–present)[24]
- Jodey Arrington, TX-19 (2017–present)[24]
- Brian Babin, TX-36 (2015–present)[24]
- Jim Baird, IN-04 (2019–present)[24]
- Troy Balderson, OH-12 (2018–present)[24]
- Aaron Bean, FL-04 (2023–present)[24]
- Jack Bergman, MI-01 (2017–present)[24]
- Gus Bilirakis, FL-12 (2015–present)[24]
- Vern Buchanan, FL-16 (2007–present)[24]
- Tim Burchett, TN-02 (2019–present)[24]
- Ken Calvert, CA-41 (1993–present)[24]
- Mike Carey, OH-15 (2021–present)[24]
- John Carter, TX-31 (2003–present)[24]
- Juan Ciscomani, AZ-06 (2023–present)[25]
- Ben Cline, VA-06 (2019–present)[24]
- Mario Díaz-Balart, FL-26 (2003–present)[24]
- Troy Downing, MT-02 (2025–present)[24]
- Neal Dunn, FL-02 (2017–present)[24]
- Jake Ellzey, TX-06 (2021–present)[24]
- Ron Estes, KS-04 (2017–present)[24]
- Pat Fallon, TX-04 (2021–present)[24]
- Randy Fine, FL-06 (2025–present)[24]
- Michelle Fischbach, MN-07 (2021–present)[24]
- Scott Fitzgerald, WI-05 (2021–present)[24]
- Chuck Fleischmann, TN-03 (2011–present)[24]
- Mike Flood, NE-01 (2022–present)[24]
- Vince Fong, CA-20 (2024–present)[25]
- Russell Fry, SC-07 (2023–present)[24]
- Russ Fulcher, ID-01 (2019–present)[25]
- Andrew Garbarino, NY-02 (2021–present)[24]
- Carlos A. Giménez, FL-23 (2021–present)[24]
- Craig Goldman, TX-12 (2025–present)[25]
- Sam Graves, MO-06 (2001–present)[24]
- Glenn Grothman, WI-06 (2015–present)[24]
- Michael Guest, MS-03 (2019–present)[24]
- Brett Guthrie, KY-02 (2009–present)[20]
- Mike Haridopolos, FL-08 (2025–present)[24]
- Pat Harrigan, NC-10 (2025–present)[24]
- Diana Harshbarger, TN-01 (2021–present)[24]
- Kevin Hern, OK-01 (2018–present)[24]
- French Hill, AR-02 (2015–present)[24]
- Ashley Hinson, IA-02 (2021–present)[24]
- Bill Huizenga, MI-04 (2011–present)[24]
- Jeff Hurd, CO-03 (2025–present)[24]
- Darrell Issa, CA-48 (2021–present)[24]
- Ronny Jackson, TX-13 (2021–present)[26]
- David Joyce, OH-14 (2013–present)[24]
- Thomas Kean Jr., NJ-07 (2023–present)[24]
- Mike Kelly, PA-16 (2011–present)[24]
- Trent Kelly, MS-01 (2015–present)[24]
- Brad Knott, NC-13 (2025–present)[24]
- Darin LaHood, IL-16 (2015–present)[24]
- Nick Langworthy, NY-23 (2023–present)[24]
- Bob Latta, OH-05 (2007–present)[24]
- Mike Lawler, NY-17 (2023–present)[24]
- Laurel Lee, FL-15 (2023–present)[25]
- Julia Letlow, LA-05 (2021–present)[24]
- Morgan Luttrell, TX-08 (2023–present)[24]
- Ryan Mackenzie, PA-07 (2025–present)[25]
- Nicole Malliotakis, NY-11 (2021–present)[24]
- Brian Mast, FL-21 (2017–present)[24]
- Michael McCaul, TX-10 (2005–present)[26]
- Rich McCormick, GA-06 (2023–present)[24]
- John McGuire, VA-05 (2025–present)[24]
- Mark Messmer, IN-08 (2025–present)[24]
- Dan Meuser, PA-09 (2019–present)[24]
- Carol Miller, WV-01 (2019–present)[24]
- Mary Miller, IL-15 (2021–present)[24]
- Max Miller, OH-07 (2023–present)[24]
- Blake Moore, UT-01 (2021–present)[24]
- Tim Moore, NC-14 (2025–present)[24]
- Nathaniel Moran, TX-01 (2023–present)[24]
- Greg Murphy, NC-03 (2019–present)[24]
- Troy Nehls, TX-22 (2021–present)[24]
- Ralph Norman, SC-05 (2017–present)[24]
- Zach Nunn, IA-03 (2023–present)[24]
- Jay Obernolte, CA-23 (2021–present)[24]
- Burgess Owens, UT-04 (2021–present)[24]
- Gary Palmer, AL-06 (2015–present)[24]
- Jimmy Patronis, FL-01 (2025–present)[24]
- August Pfluger, TX-11 (2021–present)[24]
- Hal Rogers, KY-05 (1981–present)[5]
- Mike Rogers, AL-03 (2003–present)[26]
- David Rouzer, NC-07 (2015–present)[24]
- John Rutherford, FL-05 (2017–present)[24]
- María Elvira Salazar, FL-27 (2021–present)[24]
- David Schweikert, AZ-01 (2011–present)[24]
- Austin Scott, GA-08 (2011–present)[24]
- Pete Sessions, TX-21 (2021–present)[24]
- Jefferson Shreve, IN-06 (2025–present)[24]
- Adrian Smith, NE-03 (2007–present)[24]
- Lloyd Smucker, PA-11 (2017–present)[25]
- Pete Stauber, MN-08 (2019–present)[24]
- Bryan Steil, WI-01 (2019–present)[24]
- Elise Stefanik, NY-21 (2015–present)[23]
- Greg Steube, FL-17 (2019–present)[24]
- Dale Strong, AL-05 (2023–present)[24]
- Marlin Stutzman, IN-03 (2010–2017, 2025–present)[24]
- Claudia Tenney, NY-24 (2023–present)[24]
- Glenn Thompson, PA-15 (2009–present)[24]
- William Timmons, SC-04 (2019–present)[24]
- Matt Van Epps, TN-07 (2025–present)[24]
- Jeff Van Drew, NJ-02 (2019–present)[24]
- Derrick Van Orden, WI-03 (2023–present)[24]
- Tim Walberg, MI-05 (2023–present)[25]
- Ann Wagner, MO-02 (2013–present)[24]
- Randy Weber, TX-14 (2013–present)[24]
- Bruce Westerman, AR-04 (2015–present)[24]
- Roger Williams, TX-25 (2013–present)[24]
- Joe Wilson, SC-02 (2001–present)[24]
- Rob Wittman, VA-01 (2007–present)[24]
- Steve Womack, AR-03 (2011–present)[24]
- Ryan Zinke, MT-01 (2023–present)[26]
- Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- Michael Faris at 4.3%; Andrew Shelley at 1.4%; Wende Kennedy at 0.9%
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - Michael Farris with 3%
- Michael Farris with 5%
- Michael Farris with 3%; "Someone else" & Wendy Kennedy with 1%; Andrew Shelley with <1%
- "Another candidate" with 9%
- Michael Faris with 2%; Andrew Shelley and Wende Kennedy with 1%
- "Someone else" with 4%
- "Someone else" with 11%
- Kelly Craft with 6%; "Other" with 8%
- Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- Vincent Thompson with 2%; Dale Romans with 1%
Partisan clients
- Poll sponsored by Barr's campaign
- Poll sponsored by Keep America Great, a Barr-aligned super PAC
- Poll sponsored by WDKY-TV and Nexstar Media
- Poll sponsored by Nexstar Media
- Poll sponsored by Morris's campaign
- Poll commissioned by Kentucky First Action, a Cameron-aligned super PAC
- Poll commissioned by Cameron's campaign
- Poll sponsored by Booker's campaign