OK, so, it definitely feels like just about everyone is launching campaigns of some sort, so let’s make some sense of it.
I’m expecting this to be the first (official) part in a running series of who is running for what in Kentucky.
Today, we’re going to focus on federal races — so, Mitch McConnell’s open seat in the Senate and all of six of the seats in Congress. They’re all up for grabs in 2026, and folks have until early January to file to run. (So, yes, we’ll definitely revisit this topic again in the future.)
If you want me to dive deeper into any of this, please drop a note here and tell me more. And if you’re involved with a campaign and/or running for office, don’t forget to add me to your campaign mailing list — I’m at olivia.krauth@gmail.com.
But first, let’s chat Fancy Farm
Y’all. Y’ALL.
I’m still stunned by the way y’all heard the words, “Olivia wants to go to Fancy Farm, plz send financial aid,” and absolutely showed up.
People who know me best know I love Fancy Farm, but I wasn’t planning on going this year because it is actually lowkey so expensive to send a reporter to Fancy Farm. (It is literally hundreds and hundreds of dollars to cover multiple nights in a hotel, dealing with all things gas/mileage/car not breaking down in the middle of one of the small country roads leading in and out of Fancy Farm, attempting to eat, etc. — and that’s before an hourly wage.)
But y’all are making it happen, and because of that, I will be at Fancy Farm this year.
Please, if you haven’t already — or maybe if you’re feeling extra generous — consider throwing in a few bucks to help cover my trip, aka Olivia’s Quest Out West 2025.
You can Venmo me right here/@oliviakrauth in the app.
Also, I’ll direct the funds I get from any new paid subscribers to The Gallery Pass between now and then to the Quest Out West fund. So, if you’ve been meaning to bump up your subscription or *ahem* maybe accidentally let your card on file expire and therefore got involuntarily kicked out as a paid sub, now is your time to shine!
Anything I don’t use getting to and from Fancy Farm will be donated to public media in Kentucky!
But, also, side note: After getting a big donation from the Ky. Chamber of Commerce — home to this year’s Fancy Farm emcee Ashli Watts — KET will also be at Fancy Farm this year. They had said last week they wouldn’t cover the event — which includes statewide livestreaming — due to federal budget cuts.
Yee-haw, Fancy Farm coverage!
And now for the campaigns
US Senate
Only one of Kentucky’s Senate seats is up for election next year, and it is to replace outgoing Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Also, side note: I’m relying on FEC filings for these lists. There might be some folks who are expecting to run but haven’t gotten their filings online yet, or some folks who are kinda perennial candidates who are filed to run but haven’t really said or done much yet. If you feel like something is off, please let me know.
Republicans
Former Ky. Attorney General Daniel Cameron
Congressman Andy Barr
Lexington businessman Nate Morris
Wende Kennedy
Andrew Shelley
Michael Faris
Jacob Trimble
Democrats
Ky. House Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson
Jared Randall
Independents
Scott Duncan
US House
KY-01
Right now, we’ve only got one on each side: John Williams for the Dems and incumbent Congressman James Comer for the GOP.
KY-02
Three Democrats are currently facing off to run against incumbent GOP Congressman Brett Guthrie: William Compton, Megan Wingfield and Hank Linderman.
KY-03
Slim pickins so far for the only Democrat seat in Kentucky’s federal delegation. Incumbent Dem Congressman Morgan McGarvey is running again, and so far his only challenger is Independent Oumou Diallo.
KY-04
Lots going on in this district. Incumbent GOP Congressman Thomas Massie has a primary challenger, Nicole Ethington.
And three Dems are also running: Jesse Brewer, Monica Dean and Elizabeth Mason-Hill.
KY-05
Longtime GOP Congressman Hal Rogers is facing a primary opponent in Jameson Huff. So far, Ned Pillersdorf is the only Dem running.
KY-06
And finally, the big one to watch: The Central Ky. seat being vacated by Andy Barr so he can run for Senate.
Republicans
Former Ky. state senator and former Tennessee health commissioner Ralph Alvarado
State Rep. Ryan Dotson
State Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon
Democrats
David Kloiber
Zach Dembo
Former state rep. Cherlynn Stevenson
For your planning purposes
We’ve got a kinda politics-heavy week coming up.
Lawmakers have a full week in Frankfort the last week of July, with task force and interim committee meetings scheduled Monday through Thursday.
And then Fancy Farm is Saturday, Aug. 2. Political speaking starts at 2 p.m. Central, so follow my social media accounts and tune into KET for live updates!
This will also mean a series of traditional political events in WKY on the days leading up to Fancy Farm where Rs and Ds get to socialize separately and test run some of their campaign talking points and/or Fancy Farm zingers in a more friendly crowd.
OK, quick and easy newsletter tonight. Ttyl, y’all!