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 re-elected in 2020 is retiring instead of running for re-election to an eighth term in office.
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Republican primary
editCandidates
editPotential
edit- 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]
- Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 4th congressional district[1]
Declined
edit- James Comer, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st congressional district[1]
- Mitch McConnell, incumbent U.S. Senator (1985–present)[2]
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editDeclined
edit- Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky (2019–present)[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Catanese, David (March 21, 2024). "Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026?". McClatchy. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ "Progressives flop in Oregon: 5 takeaways from Tuesday's primaries". Politico. May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
(Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell is retiring in 2026, and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is term-limited in 2027.)
- ^ Karyn, Czar (March 1, 2024). "Beshear rules out possible Senate run in 2026". WUKY.