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The latest news and updates on Kentucky's U.S. Senate race

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

The latest updates on Kentucky's U.S. Senate race center around who's likely to replace Mitch McConnell in 2026. Prominent contenders include both seasoned politicians and newcomers.

U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker speaks the crowd gathered for the 142nd annual St. Jeromes Fancy Farm Picnic before politicians deliver speeches in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, August 6, 2022. By Silas Walker

NO. 1: CHARLES BOOKER FOR US SENATE AGAIN? KENTUCKY ACTIVIST MULLING THIRD RUN IN 2026

It’s beginning to look a lot like 2020 — at least in one Kentucky Democratic primary. | Published October 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

From left, former attorney general Daniel Cameron, Kentucky businessman Nate Morris and Sixth Congressional District Rep. Andy Barr. By Ryan Hermens

NO. 2: US SENATE MONEY RACE: BARR LEADS, MORRIS GAVE CAMPAIGN $3M, CAMERON TRAILS

Lexington tech entrepreneur Nate Morris loaned himself more than $3 million to kickstart his campaign for U.S. | Published October 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., looks at a smart phone as Attorney General Merrick Garland testifies before a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing of the Department of Justice on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

NO. 3: THOMAS MASSIE NOT RULING OUT US SENATE BID, BUT BULLISH ON CAMERON’S ODDS

Rep. | Published September 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Newly announced Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath has run hard on her background in previous races, emphasizing her time breaking barriers as the first woman to fly a combat mission for the U.S. Marine Corps.

NO. 4: ‘BATTLE-TESTED’ AMY MCGRATH LAUNCHES SECOND KENTUCKY U.S. SENATE BID

Amy McGrath is back. | Published October 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Austin Horn

Newly announced Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath has run hard on her background in previous races, emphasizing her time breaking barriers as the first woman to fly a combat mission for the U.S. Marine Corps.

NO. 5: AMY MCGRATH’S SECOND SENATE CAMPAIGN LANDS WITH A THUD, NOT A BANG | OPINION

Amy McGrath hopes the third time is a charm for winning elected office in Kentucky by running as a Democrat in the US Senate race for Mitch McConnell’s seat. | Published October 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Linda Blackford

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

NO. 6: 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

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

NO. 7: 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

Senator Rand Paul, M.D. (R-KY) and Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) answer questions and share funny stories during the Towing Industry and Mason County Forum held at Parc Cafe in Maysville, KY, on Sept. 24, 2025. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 8: KY SENATE GOP CANDIDATES DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT RAND PAUL OR THOMAS MASSIE

Two names you won’t hear much in Kentucky’s most hotly contested political race: | Published September 30, 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. 9: 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. 10: 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

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. 11: 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

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

NO. 12: 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

Three prominent Republicans (bottom row) former AG Daniel Cameron, Lexington tech entrepreneur Nate Morris and Rep. Andy Barr are vying to replace U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

NO. 13: ALL 3 MAJOR KY GOP SENATE CANDIDATES HAVE TIES TO MCCONNELL. WHAT ARE THEY?

They don’t call Mitch McConnell the “Godfather” of the Kentucky GOP for no reason. | Published August 2, 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.