Kentucky Senate Candidates: Who Will Run in 2026?
Several candidates are vying for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s seat in 2026. Here is an overview of the candidates seeking to become Kentucky’s next senator.
In the most-watched Republican primary of the 2026 election season, the incumbent is being cornered by a hand-picked challenger seeking to oust President Donald Trump’s least favorite Republican lawmaker, Rep. Thomas Massie, from Congress for violating his administration’s policies.
Experts around the country are paying close attention to the primary election in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. There, Trump has backed newcomer Ed Gullane and his allies have poured millions of dollars into groups attacking the congressman’s record. Massey recently led the effort to force the release of files related to suspected sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
The race in Kentucky is seen by many as a potential first test of the president’s control over Republicans, with vulnerable incumbents trying to hold on to their seats amid a “blue wave” expected this fall.
A new Quantum Insights poll released on April 9th found that among likely Republicans, Mr. Massey won 46.8%, while Mr. Garrein received 37.7%. A further 14% were undecided.
But the more telling findings lie deep in a survey that asked people what kind of Republican legislators they would rather support.
According to the survey, 49.9% said they preferred someone who was independent-minded, while 37.4% said they preferred a strong Trump supporter.
“This suggests that voters are not simply looking for obedience or cooperation,” the quantum memo said. “There’s still room for a self-motivated, independent conservative in this electorate, and that’s exactly the identity Massie has cultivated over the years. That helps explain why President Trump’s endorsement of Galine hasn’t led to any change in racial equity, at least not yet.”
Massey’s vote share of less than 50% is not a good sign, the company said, but the roughly 10-point lead suggests the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate is staunchly resisting the president’s tongue-lashing at established ground and is “a better fit for this district than some in Washington assume.”
‘Worst person’: President Trump has been bashing Massey for years
Although Massie is not considered a moderate Republican on most conservative organizations’ scorecards, he committed the worst sin of modern Republicans in criticizing Trump many times over the years.
During the first Trump administration in 2020, the president called him “grandstanding” for opposing a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package on fiscal grounds. President Trump has said he wants to oust Massey from the Republican Party.
Libertarian-leaning lawmakers have been pushing legislation that would force the Justice Department to release documents related to Epstein. Last year, he also voted against the administration’s tax cut bill and introduced a resolution to halt the war on Iran, which was defeated by a vote of 219 to 212.
Citing his opposition to Trump, the president gathered in Massie’s district last month and brought Galine on stage to slam the congressman.
“He’s the worst human being,” President Trump said of Massey at a March 11 rally in Hebron, Kentucky. “Massey is an absolutely terrible member of Congress and, frankly, a terrible person.”
Massey has typically avoided blowback, saying he agrees with Trump on many issues and even received Trump’s support in 2022, two years after the president sought his ouster from the Republican Party.
After launching his campaign in February, Massey described his primary as a referendum on whether “members can vote independent of their party if they have their own party in the White House.”
Opinion polls suggest support for Trump is weakening
Trump’s dominance in the Republican Party, fueled by the populist “Make America Great Again” movement, remains firm from a Republican primary perspective.
Earlier this month, Republican Clay Fuller, the president’s choice to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, broke away from the Republican Party and was elected to Congress thanks in large part to Trump’s support.
Other former congressmen who opposed the president, such as Republican Liz Cheney, also lost to challengers endorsed by Trump.
But the Quantum study shows that in Massey’s case, Trump’s influence is in question. Mr. Massey has long cultivated a reputation for independence, often voting alone against even the most bipartisan resolutions and measures. Massey has said he will vote against bills and increases in federal spending that he believes are unconstitutional.
The polling data shows that President Trump’s influence remains important, with about 36% saying Trump’s support would make them much or somewhat more likely to support Galane, while about 26% said Trump’s support would make them much or somewhat less likely to support Galane. But a further 36% said it made no difference.
“This helps explain why President Trump’s endorsement of Galine has not changed the race, at least not yet,” the voting memo said.
When asked what type of Republican they would support, 49.9% of respondents said they preferred an independent-minded lawmaker, and 37.4% said they preferred a strong Trump supporter.
Independence from Trump is a quality Massie is emphasizing in his bid for re-election.
“I believe we can survive,” he told reporters after his campaign began in February. “I believe it will embolden other Republicans to vote their conscience and vote their constituents instead of just voting the wishes of the White House.”
Contact Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. Contact Phillip M. Bailey at pbailey@usatoday.com.
