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2026 United States Senate election in Kentucky

Updated: Wikipedia source

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. A primary election will be held May 19, 2026. Incumbent seven-term Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who was first elected in 1984, and most recently re-elected with 57.8% of the vote in 2020, declined to run for re-election. This decision follows his earlier announcement to retire as Senate Republican Leader after the 2024 Senate elections. This will be the first open Senate election in Kentucky since 2010, and the first to this seat since 1972.

Infobox

Party
Republican

Tables

· Republican primary › Fundraising
Candidate
Candidate
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Raised
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Spent
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Cash on hand
Andy Barr (R)
Andy Barr (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Andy Barr (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$5,090,065
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$2,096,335
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$6,686,808
Daniel Cameron (R)
Daniel Cameron (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Daniel Cameron (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$1,304,447
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$674,699
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$629,748
Mike Faris (R)
Mike Faris (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Mike Faris (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$30,851
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$46,754
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$0
Nate Morris (R)
Nate Morris (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Nate Morris (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$4,037,131
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$2,966,669
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$1,070,461
Source: Federal Election Commission
Source: Federal Election Commission
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Source: Federal Election Commission
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Andy Barr (R)
$5,090,065
$2,096,335
$6,686,808
Daniel Cameron (R)
$1,304,447
$674,699
$629,748
Mike Faris (R)
$30,851
$46,754
$0
Nate Morris (R)
$4,037,131
$2,966,669
$1,070,461
Source: Federal Election Commission
· Republican primary › Polling
UpOne Insights (R)
UpOne Insights (R)
Poll source
UpOne Insights (R)
Date(s)administered
October 13–14, 2025
Samplesize
600 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.0%
AndyBarr
25%
DanielCameron
42%
NateMorris
10%
Other
–
Undecided
23%
co/efficient (R)
co/efficient (R)
Poll source
co/efficient (R)
Date(s)administered
October 8–10, 2025
Samplesize
911 (LV)
Marginof error
± 3.2%
AndyBarr
22%
DanielCameron
39%
NateMorris
8%
Other
4%
Undecided
27%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)
Public Opinion Strategies (R)
Poll source
Public Opinion Strategies (R)
Date(s)administered
September 2–4, 2025
Samplesize
600 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.0%
AndyBarr
29%
DanielCameron
37%
NateMorris
8%
Other
–
Undecided
26%
McLaughlin & Associates (R)
McLaughlin & Associates (R)
Poll source
McLaughlin & Associates (R)
Date(s)administered
April 13–15, 2025
Samplesize
500 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.5%
AndyBarr
18%
DanielCameron
44%
NateMorris
2%
Other
–
Undecided
36%
co/efficient (R)
co/efficient (R)
Poll source
co/efficient (R)
Date(s)administered
February 25–26, 2025
Samplesize
1,134 (LV)
Marginof error
± 3.1%
AndyBarr
18%
DanielCameron
39%
NateMorris
3%
Other
11%
Undecided
31%
co/efficient (R)
co/efficient (R)
Poll source
co/efficient (R)
Date(s)administered
December 2–3, 2024
Samplesize
1,298 (LV)
Marginof error
± 3.1%
AndyBarr
12%
DanielCameron
37%
NateMorris
1%
Other
14%
Undecided
36%
Poll source
Date(s)administered
Samplesize
Marginof error
AndyBarr
DanielCameron
NateMorris
Other
Undecided
UpOne Insights (R)
October 13–14, 2025
600 (LV)
± 4.0%
25%
42%
10%
–
23%
co/efficient (R)
October 8–10, 2025
911 (LV)
± 3.2%
22%
39%
8%
4%
27%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)
September 2–4, 2025
600 (LV)
± 4.0%
29%
37%
8%
–
26%
McLaughlin & Associates (R)
April 13–15, 2025
500 (LV)
± 4.5%
18%
44%
2%
–
36%
co/efficient (R)
February 25–26, 2025
1,134 (LV)
± 3.1%
18%
39%
3%
11%
31%
co/efficient (R)
December 2–3, 2024
1,298 (LV)
± 3.1%
12%
37%
1%
14%
36%
co/efficient (R)
co/efficient (R)
Poll source
co/efficient (R)
Date(s)administered
December 2–3, 2024
Samplesize
1,298 (LV)
Marginof error
± 3.1%
AndyBarr
10%
DanielCameron
32%
KellyCraft
3%
ThomasMassie
16%
NateMorris
0%
Undecided
39%
Poll source
Date(s)administered
Samplesize
Marginof error
AndyBarr
DanielCameron
KellyCraft
ThomasMassie
NateMorris
Undecided
co/efficient (R)
December 2–3, 2024
1,298 (LV)
± 3.1%
10%
32%
3%
16%
0%
39%
· Democratic primary › Fundraising
Candidate
Candidate
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Raised
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Spent
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Cash on hand
Logan Forsythe (D)
Logan Forsythe (D)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Logan Forsythe (D)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$39,745
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$1,358
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$38,387
Pamela Stevenson (D)
Pamela Stevenson (D)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Pamela Stevenson (D)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$266,963
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$242,099
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$24,864
Joel Willett (D)
Joel Willett (D)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Joel Willett (D)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$319,775
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$4,616
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$315,159
Source: Federal Election Commission
Source: Federal Election Commission
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Source: Federal Election Commission
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Logan Forsythe (D)
$39,745
$1,358
$38,387
Pamela Stevenson (D)
$266,963
$242,099
$24,864
Joel Willett (D)
$319,775
$4,616
$315,159
Source: Federal Election Commission
Public Policy Polling (D)
Public Policy Polling (D)
Poll source
Public Policy Polling (D)
Date(s)administered
October 17–18, 2025
Samplesize
590 (LV)
Marginof error
± 4.0%
CharlesBooker
33%
LoganForsythe
2%
AmyMcGrath
30%
PamelaStevenson
3%
JoelWillett
1%
Undecided
31%
Poll source
Date(s)administered
Samplesize
Marginof error
CharlesBooker
LoganForsythe
AmyMcGrath
PamelaStevenson
JoelWillett
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)
October 17–18, 2025
590 (LV)
± 4.0%
33%
2%
30%
3%
1%
31%
· General election › Predictions
Solid R
Solid R
Source
Inside Elections
Ranking
Solid R
As of
August 12, 2025
Solid R
Solid R
Source
The Cook Political Report
Ranking
Solid R
As of
October 14, 2025
Safe R
Safe R
Source
Sabato's Crystal Ball
Ranking
Safe R
As of
August 12, 2025
Safe R
Safe R
Source
Race To The WH
Ranking
Safe R
As of
September 4, 2025
Source
Ranking
As of
Inside Elections
Solid R
August 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report
Solid R
October 14, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball
Safe R
August 12, 2025
Race To The WH
Safe R
September 4, 2025

References

  1. Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear
  2. "Someone else" with 4%
  3. "Someone else" with 11%
  4. Kelly Craft with 6%; "Other" with 8%
  5. Poll sponsered by Barr's campaign
  6. Poll commissioned by Cameron's campaign
  7. The Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-senate-retirement-34c79ef12bf62d14cb71d3c393f23a83?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share
  8. kaco.org
    https://kaco.org/articles/kentucky-house-and-senate-republicans-maintain-supermajority/
  9. Vox
    https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/11/5/20949770/kentucky-governor-election-results-andy-beshear
  10. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/sen-mitch-mcconnell-wins-another-term-kentucky-nbc-news-projects-n1246037
  11. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article304501871.html
  12. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article300667499.html
  13. The News-Enterprise
    https://www.thenewsenterprise.com/news/local/outsider-thinks-voters-are-looking-for-different-voice/article_2ab405e7-0c42-594a-aa6d-8a6770cd7c7f.html
  14. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article309355565.html
  15. FEC.gov
    https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S6KY00229/
  16. "SHELLY, NICHOLAS ANDREW FEC FORM 2 STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY FILING FEC-1895468"
    https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/S6KY00294/1895468/
  17. New York Post
    https://nypost.com/2025/04/30/us-news/cnns-scott-jennings-mulling-major-career-move-but-is-awaiting-trumps-approval/
  18. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article312182053.html
  19. McClatchy
    https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article286861985.html
  20. "Sen. Mitch McConnell won't seek reelection in 2026, ending long tenure as Republican power broker"
    https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-senate-retirement-34c79ef12bf62d14cb71d3c393f23a83
  21. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article300083289.html
  22. Kentucky Lantern
    https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/02/20/kentuckys-mcconnell-not-seeking-reelection-to-the-senate-in-2026/
  23. Spectrum News
    https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2025/04/23/senate-kentucky-endorsements-
  24. Kentucky Lantern
    https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/04/22/kys-race-for-u-s-senate-and-trumps-nod-are-on-as-second-republican-announces/
  25. Courier Journal
    https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/22/andy-barr-to-enter-us-senate-race-replace-mitch-mcconnell/78416329007/
  26. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5416718-nate-morris-jim-banks-kentucky-senate/
  27. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/07/30/congress/nate-morris-notches-moreno-endorsement-00483003/
  28. The Courier-Journal
    https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/03/fancy-farm-2025-kentucky-politics-takeaways/85320346007/
  29. Courier Journal
    https://www.courier-journal.com/videos/news/politics/2025/06/30/charlie-kirk-explains-why-he-is-backing-nate-morris-for-us-senate/84420231007/
  30. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://archive.today/20250925171520/https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article312252665.html#selection-861.19-866.0
  31. Republicans for National Renewal
    https://rnrenewal.org/statements/republicans-for-national-renewal-endorses-nate-morris-for-u-s-senate-in-kentucky/
  32. www.senateconservatives.com
    https://www.senateconservatives.com/
  33. https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2025/07/30/sen-bernie-moreno-throws-support-behind-nate-morris-in-senate-bid-n
    https://townhall.com/tipsheet/dmitri-bolt/2025/07/30/sen-bernie-moreno-throws-support-behind-nate-morris-in-senate-bid-n2661164#google_vignette
  34. fec.gov
    https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/KY/2026/
  35. Twitter
    https://x.com/PollTracker2024/status/1978516629488095719/photo/1
  36. co/efficient
    https://coefficient.org/ky-senate-2026-republican-primary/
  37. Semafor
    https://www.semafor.com/article/09/09/2025/new-poll-reveals-kentuckys-shifting-senate-race
  38. Cameron for Kentucky
    https://cameronforkentucky.com/img/KY%20Statewide%20Republican%20Primary%20Executive%20Summary%20-%2004-21-25.pdf
  39. Semafor
    https://www.semafor.com/article/03/03/2025/mcconnell-protege-daniel-cameron-leads-in-early-kentucky-senate-primary-poll
  40. Lexington Herald Leader
    https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article300099259.html
  41. Spectrum News
    https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2025/10/04/amy-mcgrath-senate-2026
  42. WHAS-TV
    https://www.whas11.com/article/news/politics/logan-forsythe-kentucky-us-senate-mitch-mcconnell/417-c2b73a80-68a0-428b-9f2f-a70a29c00b8b
  43. Spectrum News
    https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/in-focus-shows/2025/02/10/pamela-stevenson-on-in-focus
  44. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/joel-willett-mitch-mcconnell-kentucky-senate
  45. FEC.gov
    https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S6KY00252/
  46. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-government-shutdown-congress-sununu-vance-israel-gaza-rcna238493
  47. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://archive.today/20251002000228/https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article312134972.html
  48. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://archive.today/20250904123724/https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311962334.html
  49. Marshall County Tribune-Courier
    https://www.tribunecourier.com/news/daniel-cameron-announces-2026-senate-bid/article_1c19959b-8403-5c99-b215-aa48384385bb.html
  50. Public Policy Polling
    https://www.salon.com/app/uploads/2025/10/KentuckyDemocraticResults.pdf
  51. FEC.gov
    https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S6KY00195/
  52. Inside Elections
    https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate
  53. Cook Political Report
    https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings
  54. Sabato's Crystal Ball
    https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2026-senate/
  55. Race to the WH
    https://www.racetothewh.com/senate/26
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