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 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]

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Democratic primary

Candidates

Potential

Declined

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bolton . Alexander . April 2, 2024 . McConnell will serve out full term through 2026 . August 7, 2024 . . en.
  2. News: Catanese . David . Who would be the front-runner for McConnell's Senate seat in 2026? . March 21, 2024 . . March 21, 2024.
  3. Web site: Bolton . Alexander . 2024-04-02 . McConnell will serve out full term through 2026 . 2024-10-17 . . en-US.
  4. Web site: Bullis . Hailey . Thomas Massie denies plans to run for McConnell’s Senate seat in 2026 . . 18 October 2024 . 24 May 2024.
  5. Web site: Team . WLKY Digital . 2021-10-12 . Minutes after Rep. Yarmuth announcement, Sen. Morgan McGarvey says he'll run to fill the seat . 2024-12-03 . WLKY . en.
  6. Web site: Czar. Karyn. Beshear rules out possible Senate run in 2026. Mar 1, 2024. WUKY.