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Politics in Kentucky: Catch up on the Bluegrass State's shifting political landscape

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

Catch up on the latest news and updates on politics in Kentucky with these curated articles from August and September.

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. By Greg Nash

NO. 1: KY POLITICS INSIDER: WHO’S FUNDING ANTI-MASSIE PAC? NEW NAMES FOR SENATE, KY 6TH

Kentucky Politics Insider offers an analysis of Kentucky politics and the conversations that drive decisions. | Published August 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

. By Illustration by Brian Simms

NO. 2: PRICE OF PARTYING: HOW KENTUCKY’S LEGISLATURE RUNS ON FREE LUNCHES & RECEPTIONS

Lobbyist spending on free food and drinks for Kentucky legislators has more than doubled over the past five years. What’s behind the increase? | Published August 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks to members of the media following the political speaking at the 145th annual St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 3: WITH ‘COMER FOR GOVERNOR’ BUZZING, HE THINKS HE KNOWS WHICH KY DEMOCRAT HE’D FACE

In West Kentucky, it’s no longer speculation; | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Governor Andy Beshear shakes hands with attendees during the ‘Towards Freedom’ monument unveiling on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the corner of North Limestone and Fourth Street in Lexington, Ky. By Christian Kantosky

NO. 4: ANDY BESHEAR’S NATIONAL PAC STILL HAULING IN CASH. SEE WHERE IT’S COMING FROM

As Gov. | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Legislators and visitors walk up the steps to the Senate chambers at the Kentucky state Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., on Monday, April 15, 2024. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 5: AN INSIDE LOOK INTO FRANKFORT LOBBYING EVENTS: BOURBON, BREAKFAST & JIMMY JOHN’S

Meals and events meant to sway Kentucky state legislators are a growing part of business in Frankfort. | Published August 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Marshall County Democrats stand for the national anthem during the Democratic Fancy Farm dinner on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at the KY Dam Convention Center in Gilbertsville, Ky. By Christian Kantosky

NO. 6: KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS FIGHT TO REGAIN INROADS WITH RURAL VOTERS. WILL IT WORK?

After a lifetime as a Republican, Sandra Music of Johnson County became a Democrat this year. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amancai Biraben

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear waits to be introduced at an election night watch party at Old Forester’s Paristown Hall in Louisville, Ky., on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 7: ANDY BESHEAR PAC TOPS $1.4 MILLION IN FUNDRAISING FOR FIRST HALF OF 2025

A second report on Gov. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

A screenshot from Keep America Great’s most recent ad hitting U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris.

NO. 8: PRO-ANDY BARR PAC REVS UP US SENATE 2026 TV PRESENCE WITH ‘FAKE NATE MORRIS’ AD

A political action committee supporting Rep. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Nate Morris, a candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks to members of the media after arriving at the 145th Annual St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 9: KY SENATE CANDIDATE WANTS TO STOP ALL IMMIGRATION. ECONOMISTS WARN AGAINST IT

U.S. | Published August 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Gov. Andy Beshear took the oath of office for his second term Tuesday. By Silas Walker

NO. 10: ANDY BESHEAR FOR PRESIDENT IN 2028? DEM & GOP TAKES ON KY GOVERNOR’S FUTURE

Gov. | Published August 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Kentucky state Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, standing, shakes hands with Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams before Adams signed House Bill 5, the Safer Kentucky Act, at the Kentucky state Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., on Monday, April 15, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Bauman, was vetoed by Gov. Andy Beshear before the legislature overturned the veto. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 11: PRESIDENT TRUMP AGAIN TARGETS MAIL-IN VOTING. WHAT MIGHT KENTUCKY DO?

President Donald Trump upped the ante on his opposition to mail-in voting Monday morning when he posted that he would “lead a movement” to end the increasingly popular practice and crack down on the use of voting machines. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

After a short question and answer with members of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky’s Republican Sen. Rand Paul took questions from the media at Central Bank in Richmond, Ky., on Friday July 11, 2025. By Tashandra Poullard

NO. 12: KY POLITICS INSIDER: RAND PAUL 2028? GOP SENATE CANDIDATES HIT FOX NEWS & MORE

Kentucky Politics Insider offers an analysis of Kentucky politics and the conversations that drive decisions. | Published August 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Mitch McConnel holds a thumbs up towards the crowd during Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at St. Jerome Church in Fancy Farm, Ky. By Christian Kantosky

NO. 13: KY’S FAMED HAM GOES FOR $10M AT CHARITY AUCTION WHERE MCCONNELL TAKES STAGE

Another year, another prized Kentucky ham auctioned for an eight-figure contribution to charity. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

FILE -- An aerial view of the Pentagon, the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington County, Va., May 28, 2024. SpaceX has contracts with the Pentagon and other government agencies and plays a role in national security. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times) By KENNY HOLSTON

NO. 14: KENTUCKIAN CONSIDERING DEMOCRATIC SENATE RUN GETS SECURITY CLEARANCE REVOKED

A former CIA officer and government contractor from Kentucky is claiming his national security clearance was revoked by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for political reasons. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Congressman Morgan McGarvey speaks to the thousands of demonstrators gathered during the ‘No Kings’ march and protest at Metro Hall in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, June 14, 2025. ‘No Kings’ rallies organized across the United States in direct response to President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington D.C. By Luke Franke

NO. 15: SOME IN GOP PUSH TO GERRYMANDER OUT KENTUCKY’S LONE DEMOCRAT. CAN THEY DO IT?

Two powerful Kentucky Republicans suggested this week that Kentucky could move to get rid of its only Democrat representative in Congress. | Published August 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Handcuffs and money.

NO. 16: TRUMP WANTS TO END CASHLESS BAIL. HOW WOULD THAT AFFECT KY COURTS?

President Donald Trump’s executive order to end cashless bail is unlikely to affect Kentucky, where courts across the state still use cash bail for most crimes. | Published September 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor Six, Amancai Biraben

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) speaks during the annual St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 17: MITCH MCCONNELL ON OCCUPYING GAZA, 2026 SENATE MAP & BLOCKING OBAMA SCOTUS PICK

Sen. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks with a Herald-Leader reporter during an interview at the McConnell Center located at the University of Louisville Ekstrom Library in Louisville, Ky., Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. By Timothy D. Easley

NO. 18: MCCONNELL GETS CANDID ON TRUMP, SAYS A 2028 RUN WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Sen. | Published August 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Nate Morris is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from Kentucky. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 19: SENATE CANDIDATE NATE MORRIS SAYS HIS BUSINESS, RUBICON, WAS A SUCCESS. WAS IT?

Nate Morris never ran for public office until this year, so he has little in the way of a political record to share with voters. | Published September 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by John Cheves

Sen. Mitch McConnell speaks with a Herald-Leader reporter during an interview at the McConnell Center located at the University of Louisville Ekstrom Library in Louisville, Ky., Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. By Timothy D. Easley

NO. 20: Q&A: SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL ON HIS LEGACY, GOV. BESHEAR, 2026, ISRAEL AND MORE

Sen. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Erin Petrey is the fourth Democrat to announce a run for Congress in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District.

NO. 21: NEW DEMOCRAT RUNNING IN KY’S 6TH DISTRICT HAS BACKGROUND IN SUSTAINABILITY, BOURBON

Erin Petrey, a Democratic businesswoman and bourbon blogger, launched her run Wednesday for Central Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District. | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Gov. Andy Beshear speaks out against Amendment 2 at Consolidated Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Photo by James Crisp)

NO. 22: SEN. ANDY BESHEAR? THANKS, BUT NO THANKS, HE SAYS TO PROMINENT DEM SUPPORTERS

Kentucky Politics Insider offers an analysis of Kentucky politics and the conversations that drive decisions. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Carolyn Williams, center, walking past Andy Barr supporters while cheering for Daniel Cameron during Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at St. Jerome Church in Fancy Farm, Ky. By Christian Kantosky

NO. 23: NEW POLL SHOWS MOVEMENT IN THE KY SENATE RACE, PAC SPENDS BIG ON ANTI-BARR AD

Whether it’s good news or bad news, Rep. | Published September 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

S. Chad Meredith, Kentucky solicitor general, speaks to members of the media after making arguments before the Kentucky Supreme Court at the state Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., on Thursday, June 10, 2021. The state’s highest court heard arguments in a case that will decide whether the state legislature can limit Beshear’s emergency powers. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 24: CHAD MEREDITH, TRUMP PICK FOR KY FEDERAL JUDGE, GETS SENATE COMMITTEE OK

Chad Meredith is one step closer to becoming Kentucky’s newest federal judge. | Published September 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks to a Herald-Leader reporter during an interview in the State Reception Room at the Kentucky state Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 25: ROAD TO 2028: GOV. ANDY BESHEAR VISITS THE COASTS, BROADCASTS HIS AGENDA

Editor’s Note: | Published September 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amancai Biraben

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks with reporters as he walks on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

NO. 26: RAND PAUL REAFFIRMS TRUMP CRITIQUE, KEEPS 2028 DOOR OPEN ON PRO-CAPITALISM MESSAGE

Sen. | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Logan Forsythe is a former U.S. Secret Service agent running as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in Kentucky

NO. 27: DEMOCRAT WITH SECRET SERVICE, LEGAL BACKGROUND LAUNCHES US SENATE BID IN KY

Kentucky Democrats will have a choice to make in the 2026 primary for U.S. | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate, delivers a speech at the 145th annual St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 28: KY POLITICS INSIDER: IS CAMERON LEAVING US SENATE RACE? FAKE NEWS, HIS CAMP SAYS

Kentucky Politics Insider offers an analysis of Kentucky politics and the conversations that drive decisions. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Joel Willett, a Jefferson County native and former CIA agent, is running for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky as a Democrat.

NO. 29: EX-CIA OFFICER TARGETED BY TULSI GABBARD TO JOIN KENTUCKY US SENATE RACE AS DEMOCRAT

One day after a major Democratic candidate announced they were running for U.S. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Andy Barr, left, shakes hands with one of his supporters during Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at St. Jerome Church in Fancy Farm, Ky. By Christian Kantosky

NO. 30: BARR SENDS CEASE & DESIST OVER AD CALLING CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS ‘MUTILATION FACTORIES’

The U.S. | Published September 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Democratic Senate candidate Amy McGrath speaks with her supporters and reporters during her final stop on Election Day at the Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport in Scott County, Ky., Tuesday, November 3, 2020. By Silas Walker

NO. 31: AMY MCGRATH COMEBACK? FORMER KY SENATE CANDIDATE SAID TO BE CONSIDERING 2026 RUN

Amy McGrath, a former Democratic candidate for both the U.S. | Published September 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.