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 re-elected with 57.8% of the vote in 2020 , has not announced whether he will run for re-election. Media sources have speculated that McConnell, first elected in 1984 , may choose not to run for re-election in 2026, owing to his declining health and his decision to retire as Senate Republican Leader after the 2024 Senate elections .[ 1]
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 offices, supermajorities in both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly , and all but one seat in Kentucky's U.S. House congressional delegation .[ 2] 1984 and was re-elected in six subsequent elections.[ 3] governorship and lieutenant-governorship which flipped from Republican control in 2019 .[ 4]
^ Bolton, Alexander (April 2, 2024). "McConnell will serve out full term through 2026" . The Hill . Retrieved August 7, 2024 . ^ "Kentucky House and Senate Republicans maintain supermajority" . kaco.org . Retrieved December 5, 2024 .^ "Sen. Mitch McConnell wins another term in Kentucky, NBC News projects" . NBC News . November 4, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2024 .^ Golshan, Tara (November 6, 2019). "Democrat Andy Beshear just unseated Kentucky's Trump-loving governor" . Vox . Retrieved December 5, 2024 . ^ Zanona, Melanie; Soellner, Mica (January 23, 2025). "Lawmakers have their eyes on governors' mansions" . Punchbowl News . Retrieved January 31, 2025 . Some sources think Barr is more likely to run for Senate if there's an open seat in 2026. ^ Horn, Austin (December 2, 2024). "Replacing McConnell? Someone reserves Senate 2026 web domains for 6 prominent Kentuckians" . Lexington Herald-Leader . Retrieved January 30, 2025 . ^ Catanese, David (March 21, 2024). "Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026?" . McClatchy . Retrieved March 21, 2024 . A spokesperson for Comer...relayed that Comer has no interest in running for senate even if McConnell does not seek reelection. ^ Bullis, Hailey (May 24, 2024). "Thomas Massie denies plans to run for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026" . Washington Examiner . Retrieved October 18, 2024 . ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1872151" . docquery.fec.gov . Retrieved January 31, 2025 .^ Karyn, Czar (March 1, 2024). "Beshear rules out possible Senate run in 2026" . WUKY ^ "Senate Ratings" . Inside Elections . Retrieved January 14, 2025 .^ "2026 Senate Interactive Map" . 270toWin . Retrieved January 22, 2025 .
Government