2026 United States Senate election in Kentucky explained

Election Name:	2026 United States Senate election in Kentucky
Country:	Kentucky
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2020 United States Senate election in Kentucky
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2032 United States Senate election in Kentucky
Next Year:	2032
Election Date:	November 3, 2026
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
U.S. senator
Before Election:	Mitch McConnell
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)

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.

Republican primary

Candidates

Potential

Allison Ball, Kentucky State Auditor^[1]
Andy Barr, U.S. Representative for ^[2]
Daniel Cameron, former Attorney General of Kentucky (2019–2023) and nominee for governor in 2023^[3]
Russell Coleman, Attorney General of Kentucky (2023–present)^[4]
Kelly Craft, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and candidate for governor in 2023^[5]
Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative for ^[6]

Declined

James Comer, U.S. Representative for ^[7]
Mitch McConnell, incumbent U.S. Senator (1985–present)^[8]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky (2019–present)^[9]

Notes and References

News: Catanese . David . Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026? . March 21, 2024 . . March 21, 2024.
News: Catanese . David . Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026? . March 21, 2024 . . March 21, 2024.
News: Catanese . David . Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026? . March 21, 2024 . . March 21, 2024.
News: Catanese . David . Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026? . March 21, 2024 . . March 21, 2024.
News: Catanese . David . Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026? . March 21, 2024 . . March 21, 2024.
News: Catanese . David . Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026? . March 21, 2024 . . March 21, 2024.
News: Catanese . David . Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026? . March 21, 2024 . . March 21, 2024.
Web site: May 22, 2024 . Progressives flop in Oregon: 5 takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries . (Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell is retiring in 2026, and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is term-limited in 2027.) . May 22, 2024 . . en.
Web site: Czar. Karyn. Beshear rules out possible Senate run in 2026. Mar 1, 2024. WUKY.