Former GOP staffer Kevin Smith files to run primary against Rep. Hal Rogers
Kevin R. Smith, a London attorney and longtime political operative, has filed to run a GOP primary race in the 5th Congressional District against Rep. Hal Rogers.
Rogers, 88, is the Dean of the U.S. House and the oldest voting member of that chamber. He filed early for reelection and has continually asserted that he intends to serve out the full next term, which will end in early 2029, representing his Eastern Kentucky-centric district.
Smith was a longtime aide for Mike Duncan, the former chair of the Republican National Convention and worked briefly as an aide to Sen. Mitch McConnell in the late ‘00s. He filed on Friday, the final day for Kentucky candidates to do so.
“Eastern Kentucky powered America’s past, and we deserve a fair shot at its future. I’m running for Congress to fight for our families, our values and the next generation’s opportunity to build their lives right here at home,” Smith said in a press release.
The press release did not mention Rogers.
In his long tenure representing the district, Rogers has proven an electoral juggernaut.
In all 23 of Rogers’ election cycles, only once, in 1992 after state Democrats significantly redrew his district, did an opponent come within single digits. Every other cycle has been uncontested or a 30-plus point blowout.
In a statement to the Herald-Leader, Rogers said he was proud to have President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the race.
“We are working hard and aren’t done yet,” Rogers wrote. “Just this week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed millions in federal funding for Eastern Kentucky that I helped author as one of 12 cardinal members of the House Appropriations Committee. I’m honored to represent my constituents and look forward to earning their vote again so I can help keep Eastern Kentucky at the most powerful table on Capitol Hill.”
It’s common for gadfly candidates to take a shot at established candidates like Rogers.
But Smith is no gadfly.
That is what’s made political observers like consultant TJ Litafik, a supporter of Rogers, scratch their heads at the move.
“I was very shocked to see that. I fail to really see a rationale to do that. Hal Rogers is still the Dean of the U.S. House and a vibrant member of Congress. For somebody other than a gadfly to file against him, especially in a Republican primary, is a bold move,” Litafik said.
“I don’t think he’s laid that much groundwork to make a move that bold, and I don’t think that primarying Hal Rogers is a very good setup for a future race for his seat or for any office,” he added.
A native of Clay County, Smith has worked as an attorney in London for several years. He was part of Kentucky’s delegation to the Republican National Committee in 2024, 2020, 2016 and 2012.
The release announcing Smith’s campaign touted his work at the U.S. Postal Service “advising President Trump’s nominees on policy and governance matters.” Duncan served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service during Trump’s first term. Smith’s wife, Tina, also served in Trump’s first administration, per his campaign’s release.
The release also mentioned Smith’s support for conservative issues like the Second Amendment, parental rights and border security, as well as his ties to the region. He founded a nonprofit and serves as a trustee for Alice Lloyd College, among other roles.
Smith’s connection to McConnell does not translate to support from the McConnell camp, the senator indicated in a statement to the Herald-Leader.
“Hal has been my friend for 50 years. He is the most effective congressman that Eastern Kentucky will ever have. I’m proud to support Hal and he has my full endorsement. As Dean of the House of Representatives, his clout coupled with his work ethic will continue to deliver for Eastern Kentucky and our country,” McConnell wrote in a statement.
Rogers recently told the Herald-Leader that he is in excellent health and defended his long tenure as useful for Eastern Kentucky.
“You get experience by serving in a slot, and I sit at a big table thanks to longevity. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be there on behalf of my people. So, I welcome people inspecting my record, my qualifications, my capability, my sanity. I welcome that. But in the end, I’m able to bring things home to East Kentucky by sitting at that table,” Rogers said.
He added that there is no chance he withdraws.
Smith is not the only one filing to run against Rogers.
On the Democratic side, Prestonsburg attorney Ned Pillersdorf is the first member of the opposing party to run a vigorous challenge to Rogers in decades. He has made hay of what he sees as a lack of activity from Rogers, his advanced age and, most of all, Rogers’ vote for the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which cut spending on welfare programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
Other Republicans have filed, too. They are Benjamin Hurley, Brandon R. Monhollen and Jerry Lee Shelton.
Litafik thinks no candidate has much of a shot against Rogers.
“To a lot of Eastern Kentucky Republicans, Hal Rogers is right up there next to the good Lord and their daddy,” Litafik said.
This story was originally published January 9, 2026 at 4:46 PM.
