Incumbent Republican Ed Whitfield, who had represented the district since 1995, did not run for re-election for a 12th term.[2] He was re-elected with 73% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of R+18.
Republicans James Comer, the Agriculture Commissioner of Kentucky,[3] and Michael Pape, Witfield's district director,[4] ran for the Republican Party nomination. Other potential Republican candidates included former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky nominee Robbie Rudolph, businessman Todd P'Pool, George W. Bush administration official J. Scott Jennings, and Whitfield's chief of staff Cory Hicks.[5] State Senator Max Wise also was considered a potential candidate, but he endorsed Comer.[6] In the May 17 primary, Comer won with 61% of the vote and went on to face Democrat Sam Gaskins in the general election.
Incumbent Republican Brett Guthrie, who had represented the district since 2009, ran for re-election.[9] He was re-elected with 69% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of R+16.
Incumbent Democrat John Yarmuth, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election.[9][24] He was re-elected with 64% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of D+4.
Incumbent Republican Thomas Massie, who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election.[9] He was re-elected with 68% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of R+16.
Incumbent Republican Hal Rogers, who had represented the district since 1981, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 78% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of R+25.
Incumbent Republican Andy Barr, who had represented the district since 2013, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 60% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of R+9.
Matt Jones, host and founder of Kentucky Sports Radio, considered challenging Representative Barr, but announced on November 23, 2015, that he would not do so.[28] Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, a graduate of Yale Divinity School and former executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, announced she would run for the Democratic nomination on January 21, 2016.
Geoff Young, candidate for governor in Kentucky in 2014, and Michael Coblenz, a candidate for Kentucky state house in 2010 competed with Kemper for the chance to challenge Barr in the general election.[9] Michael Coblenz later withdrew, leaving Rev. Kemper and Young as the only Democratic candidates.[29]