2026 United States Senate election in Kentucky

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. Incumbent seven-term Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who was reelected in 2020, has not announced whether he will run for reelection.

Republican primary

Candidates

Potential

Allison Ball, Kentucky State Auditor^[1]
Andy Barr, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 6th congressional district^[1]
Daniel Cameron, former Attorney General of Kentucky (2019–2023) and nominee for governor in 2023^[1]
Russell Coleman, Attorney General of Kentucky (2023–present)^[1]
Kelly Craft, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and candidate for governor in 2023^[1]
Mitch McConnell, incumbent U.S. Senator (1985–present)^[2]

Declined

James Comer, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st congressional district^[1]
Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district^[3]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky (2019–present)^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Catanese, David (March 21, 2024). "Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026?". McClatchy. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
^ Bolton, Alexander (April 2, 2024). "McConnell will serve out full term through 2026". The Hill. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
^ Bullis, Hailey (May 24, 2024). "Thomas Massie denies plans to run for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026". Washington Examiner. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
^ Karyn, Czar (March 1, 2024). "Beshear rules out possible Senate run in 2026". WUKY.

[McClatchyKY-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Catanese, David (March 21, 2024). "Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026?". McClatchy. Retrieved March 21, 2024.

[2] Bolton, Alexander (April 2, 2024). "McConnell will serve out full term through 2026". The Hill. Retrieved October 17, 2024.

[3] Bullis, Hailey (May 24, 2024). "Thomas Massie denies plans to run for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026". Washington Examiner. Retrieved October 18, 2024.

[4] Karyn, Czar (March 1, 2024). "Beshear rules out possible Senate run in 2026". WUKY.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

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