Kentucky 2026 elections

Political landscape in Kentucky

Overview

Officially styled the Commonwealth of Kentucky, this landlocked Southeastern state has the Ohio River as its northern boundary with Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. West Virginia borders it on the northeast, Virginia on the east, Tennessee on the south and Missouri on the west. It ranks 37th in area and 26th in population, with about 4.6 million residents. Frankfort is the capital and Louisville the most populous city. Formerly part of Virginia, Kentucky joined the Union as the 15th state on June 1, 1792, and its nickname, the Bluegrass State, refers to a grass that has long supported its thoroughbred horse industry. Tobacco plantations developed on the fertile soils of the central and western regions, and the state remains a tobacco center while its economy has expanded into medicine, energy production and auto manufacturing; Kentucky ranks fourth among the states in vehicle assembly. Mammoth Cave National Park holds the longest known cave system in the world, and horse racing, bourbon and bluegrass music figure among the state's cultural features.

Officeholders

As of October 2026, the governor of Kentucky is Andy Beshear (Democratic), and the state's US senators are Mitch McConnell (Republican) and Rand Paul (Republican).

2026 elections

On November 3, 2026, voters in Kentucky will decide the race for a US Senate seat, contests in 6 US House districts and 1 ballot measure. The statewide measure would limit pardons by the governor during election periods, and Lexington and Louisville will also elect mayors.