Trump endorses Ralph Alvarado in KY’s 6th District congressional race
President Donald Trump has endorsed Dr. Ralph Alvarado, a former state senator, for Kentucky’s 6th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Alvarado is among the Republican candidates running for the seat soon to be vacated by Rep. Andy Barr, who is in the race for Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat and who also was endorsed by Trump Friday.
Other 6th District GOP candidates include Ryan Dotson, Greg Plucinski, Adam Perez Arquette and Steve Shannon.
Trump called Alvarado an “America First Patriot” and a “true friend to MAGA” who has “BEEN WITH US FROM THE VERY BEGINNING” in a post on Truth Social Friday night.
“Ralph has dedicated his life to serving his Community,” Trump’s post stated. “As your next Congressman, Ralph will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Promote our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Brave Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson also issued an endorsement on behalf of the House majority leadership in which he said Alvarado “will help us continue to deliver safe streets, secure borders, lower costs, a strong economy, and peace through strength.”
“As a physician and former member of the Kentucky General Assembly, Ralph will be a key voice in helping Make America Healthy Again while supporting our farmers, veterans, and military families,” Johnson’s post on the social media platform X stated.
Alvarado, 56, became the first Hispanic person to be elected to the Kentucky General Assembly 2014.
Former Gov. Matt Bevin chose Alvarado as his running mate in Bevin’s failed bid for a second term, when Bevin lost to Gov. Andy Beshear in 2019.
In late 2022, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced that Alvarado would become commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health.
Trump mentioned that Alvarado spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2016 and served on his campaign’s National Hispanic Advisory Council.
Alvarado has aligned himself with Trump throughout this campaign cycle. He ran an ad referring to himself as a three-time Trump supporter and a “MAHA doctor.”
In response to the president’s endorsement, Alvarado shared a video on the social media platform X in which he said he’s “looking forward to going up to Washington to serve our district, to serve the president, to serve our country.”
He mentioned working on the economy, protecting the nation’s borders and bringing “common sense back into our government, and into our work places and into our schools.”
“No matter your persuasion, know that I’m planning on representing everyone moving forward,” Alvarado said.
Democratic candidates for the 6th District include Zach Dembo, Cherlynn Stevenson, Erin Petrey, Corey Edwards, David Kloiber, Jimmy Ausbrooks and Harvey Carroll.
This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 7:45 PM.
