Primary Elections
Kentucky Primary Elections 2026
Primary date, filing deadlines, key contested races, and what to watch in Kentucky ahead of the 2026 general election.
May 19, 2026
Primary Date
None
Runoff / RCV
January 2026
Filing Deadline
Low — Safely Republican primar
Competitiveness
Key 2026 Primary Races
| U.S. Senate | Rand Paul (R) up 2026 |
| Governor | Andy Beshear (D) not up until 2027 |
| U.S. House | KY-6 (Andy Barr) competitive in good D year |
2026 Primary Overview
Kentucky is safely Republican for Senate. Rand Paul faces re-election and is unlikely to face a serious primary challenge. Governor Beshear (D) is not up until 2027.