Stevenson says KY backlash to Washington ‘recklessness’ will fuel Democratic US Senate run
House Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson is all in for the U.S. Senate.
The Democrat officially launched her campaign to replace longtime Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is not seeking reelection, on Monday.
The theory of Stevenson’s campaign: The widespread anger over the actions of Republican President Donald Trump and respect for her service as a veteran and minister will launch her into office.
“Both Democrats and Republicans have approached me and said, ‘You don’t know me, but I’m so glad you’re running,’” Stevenson told the Herald-Leader.
“Some people are angry. One Republican that spoke with me said he served in the military and he doesn’t like what’s being done. The others, they just want to take care of their families, like, ‘Can y’all stop fighting and give us what we need to take care of our families?’”
In her first digital ad, a two-and-a-half minute introduction, Stevenson emphasized her background.
She speaks from the pews of her home church in Louisville, where she grew up and is now an ordained minister. A montage of photos from her service as a judge advocate general in the U.S. Air Force flash as she speaks about her 27 years of service abroad.
The election is not until November 2026. It’s still early, but many Democrats predict that a backlash to the actions of Republican President Donald Trump – Stevenson emphasized potential cuts to veterans services – could make more races tilt their way across the country.
Stevenson told the Herald-Leader she’s running primarily on three issues: an economy oriented toward families, protecting Medicaid and Medicare from potential cuts and veterans services.
“‘Thank you for your service’ has become a bumper sticker because you’re not doing anything to support those who are disabled, have lost limbs, lost life, have mental health problems because you’re cutting the services – that, we cannot tolerate,” Stevenson said.
The Democrat, in her interview with the Herald-Leader and her advertisement, also mentioned America has lost its way when it comes to dealing with foreign countries. She said the Trump administration has gotten its signals crossed when it comes to telling allies from adversaries.
“We need someone in Washington, D.C., that can elevate the United States of America back to where it was before we destroyed it by disenfranchising our allies – not our enemies, our allies,” Stevenson said.
She stressed her experience in the U.S. Air Force, where she was “dropped” into countries where she didn’t speak the language but she resolved hostage crises and helped contribute to massive undertakings like the 9/11 commission.
This would not be Stevenson’s first statewide campaign. In 2023, she lost her bid for attorney general to Russell Coleman by 16 percentage points. No Democrat aside from Beshear, who beat his GOP opponent Daniel Cameron by five points, got close to defeating their Republican opponent.
She said that with her message of unity, especially given a “reckless” Washington climate, she can win this time around.
“What I’m hearing right now is that people are fearful,” Stevenson said. “The people that are in charge of the government, it seems like they’ve lost their minds. People are worried about their jobs, they’re worried about the economy, they’re worried about gun violence, and it doesn’t seem like the people that are supposed to be (helping) are doing anything about it.
“There’s a recklessness that’s coming out of Washington, and things are not working.”
But first, Stevenson would need to become the Democratic nominee. Currently, she’s the only Democrat with significant name ID to have announced a run, but at least one other prominent Democrat is looking at it.
Rocky Adkins, senior adviser to Gov. Andy Beshear, has not denied interest, and some connected Kentucky Democrats are excited at how his brand of moderate, rural Democrat could perform in a statewide election.
Emily Ferguson, a spokesperson for Adkins, said he has not yet committed to running for anything.
“While Rocky continues to receive tremendous encouragement from across Kentucky, he has not made any decisions on any race. His full commitment and attention for now remains on being the Senior Adviser to Governor Andy Beshear and our efforts on building a better Kentucky for all,” Ferguson wrote.
Stevenson thinks it wouldn’t be wise for Democrats to run a legitimate candidate beyond herself.
“If we take a play from the Republicans’ book and we come together and say, ‘This is what’s going to happen, this is the most qualified person,’ then we will take this seat,” Stevenson said.
“If egos get in the way, if other things get in the way, then we’re going to be fractured, and they will swoop in and take this seat. So I just say, Look at my resume.”
Stevenson told the Herald-Leader that she has spoken with Beshear about her run in a face-to-face conversation. He offered help, but said would stay out of the primary if there is one, she said.
“I’m standing on, ‘there’s not going to be one,’ because not only am I talented and qualified, I’m the one that can get this done,” Stevenson.
As for the Republicans running – Cameron is the only one to have announced, though Lexington U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and Lexington tech mogul Nate Morris are considering runs – Stevenson offers a very direct criticism.
“The Kentucky Republicans lining up to replace Mitch McConnell will vote exactly the same way he did. They were his interns, but now they’re his clones,” Stevenson said.
This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM.
