Political newcomer Greg Plucinski announces GOP run for Rep. Barr’s open seat
The race for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District is getting a new face.
Greg Plucinski, a retired pharmaceutical executive from Nicholasville, has entered the GOP primary race to replace Rep. Andy Barr in the Central Kentucky-centric district, his campaign announced Tuesday in a press release.
Plucinski was president and chief operational officer of Summit Biosciences, which specialized in nasal sprays. It was acquired by a larger pharmaceutical group last year. Plucinski has never held elected office or run for any office before throwing his hat in the ring for this congressional seat up for grabs in 2026.
In the release, Plucinski framed himself as a supporter of both President Donald Trump and Barr and not beholden to “special interests.”
“I am running for Congress to work for the people of central Kentucky, not for the Washington D.C. special interests. Kentucky needs a congressman who will work with President Trump to improve the lives of Kentuckians,” Plucinski wrote.
He is a Wisconsin native who moved to the Lexington area in 2002. In 2006, Plucinski earned his Master's in Business Administration at the University of Kentucky.
The first-time candidate is joining an already vigorous primary for the 6th Congressional District seat. Representatives Ryan Dotson of Winchester and Deanna Gordon of Richmond, as well as former state Sen. Ralph Alvarado are all running and have been making the rounds at party events across the district.
All three have tried to tie themselves closely to Trump, but they recently presented their own unique visions of conservatism and how they would approach governing at a college Republicans forum.
In the release, Plucinski mentioned a few specific policy areas he’d focus on if elected to Congress.
He said fighting inflation would be a priority, alongside using his pharmaceutical know-how to increase American manufacturing in the space. With the Trump administration levying massive tariffs on certain pharmaceutical imports, investment in businesses that manufacture drugs like Summit Biosciences has increased.
“The lack of pharmaceutical manufacturing in America is a national security and affordability issue. My unique life experience will help bring back manufacturing of all types back where it belongs, in the United States,” Plucinski wrote in the release.
Summit Biosciences was based at the University of Kentucky’s Coldstream Research Campus on the north side of town. It grew quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, it announced a $19 million expansion that was expected to create 78 full-time jobs, a move that was lauded by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear at the time.
Plucinski added that, if elected, he would “continue” Barr’s work in the horse and bourbon industries. Since his election in 2012, Barr has maintained a particular interest in both sectors, even co-authoring the bill that created the regulator overseeing safety and anti-doping efforts.
Plucinski’s team did not grant the Herald-Leader an interview with the candidate as of Tuesday morning.
Democrats running for the 6th Congressional District include former federal prosecutor Zach Dembo, former Lexington city councilman David Kloiber, businesswoman and bourbon influencer Erin Petrey and former state Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson.
This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 7:33 AM.
