Former state House Republican to run again in Central Kentucky race
Former state House Rep. Killian Timoney wants a chance to return to Kentucky politics in Frankfort.
Timoney, a Nicholasville Republican, announced in a Facebook post that he plans to run for the House District 45 seat, which he previously served in for two terms.
In a Facebook post from Jan. 1, Timoney said he decided to launch a campaign because he believes Kentucky needs “experienced” and “common-sense leadership” focusing on supporting schools and working families.
“I’m ready to get back to work for you,” he wrote. “I’d be truly honored to earn your trust and support once again.”
Timoney was first elected to the House in 2020 and sworn into office in January 2021, but he was ousted in the 2024 primary election by Liberty candidate Thomas Jefferson. While Jefferson won over 70% of the Republican voters during the primary election, he lost to then-Democratic candidate Adam Moore, who won 50.3% of the vote in the general election.
Timoney is an educator in Fayette County Public Schools and was a political moderate during his time in the legislature.
He was one of the few Republicans who voted against 2023 GOP-sponsored bill, Senate Bill 150, which is now law and bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth.
During the 2022 regular legislative session, Timoney also voted against a bill, Senate Bill 83, that banned transgender women and girls from school sports.
In a 2024 exit interview with the Herald-Leader, Timoney had said though his “no” vote on the trans sports bill as costing him his seat.
Timoney’s primary opponent in 2024, Jefferson, capitalized on the growing Liberty Republican movement and Timoney’s voting socially moderate on those two pieces of legislation.
Outside groups during had also criticized Timoney on those votes, including mailers from the group Make Liberty Win that called him “groomer Killian.”
Timoney said in a Jan. 2 interview with the Herald-Leader he has taken the time to listen to and learn from voters in the 45th district.
“This time away from the General Assembly, it gave me that opportunity to really slow down and listen, and I heard a lot of things that are going to shape a lot of my path moving forward,” Timoney said.
Timoney added he is excited about the opportunity to represent the district again because serving his community is in his nature.
When asked if he is concerned that his past voting record could come up again during the 2026 election cycle, Timoney said “we’re in a different place now, in 2026, than we were when those votes were taken.”
“I look forward to showing how I’ve evolved and moving forward into where we need to go next,” Timoney said.
Moore, the incumbent Democrat, said in a Jan. 2 interview with the Herald-Leader that he has filed to run for reelection, and Timoney has every right to run in the race because that’s part of a health democracy.
House District 45 is one of Kentucky’s politically purple districts, made up by parts of Jessamine and Fayette counties.
Moore said he’s curious to see how Timoney and other potential Republican candidates differentiate themselves and “brush the work that I’m doing.”
“I founded the Veterans Caucus my first year. I passed an affordable epinephrine bill as a first time legislator in a super minority,” Moore said. “I’m curious what they think they can bring that I’m not already doing in the legislature, and what they think they can do better.”
The filing deadline to run for office in Kentucky is Jan. 9, and the primary election will take place on May 19.
The Secretary of State’s website did not reflect additional candidates in the 45th District as of Jan. 2 afternoon.
This story was originally published January 2, 2026 at 12:41 PM.
