2027 Kentucky gubernatorial election
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November 2, 2027
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| Elections in Kentucky |
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 Government |
The 2027 Kentucky gubernatorial election will be held on November 2, 2027, to elect the governor of Kentucky. Democratic incumbent Andy Beshear is ineligible to seek a third consecutive term. Primary elections will be held on May 18, 2027.[1]
This is the only Democratic-held governorship up for election in 2027.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Rocky Adkins, former senior advisor to the governor (2019–2026)[2]
- Jacqueline Coleman, lieutenant governor of Kentucky (2019–present)[3]
Declined
[edit]- Adam Edelen, former Kentucky auditor of public accounts (2012–2016)[4]
- Attica Scott, former state representative from HD-41 (2017–2023)[5]
Endorsements
[edit]Jacqueline Coleman
- State legislators
- Gary Clemons, SD-37 (2026–present)[6]
- Rachel Roarx, HD-38 (2023–present)[6]
- Cherlynn Stevenson, former HD-88 (2019–2025)[7]
- Reggie Thomas, SD-13 (2014–present)[6]
- Labor unions
- Individuals
- Hadley Duvall, abortion rights activist[9]
Rocky Adkins
- Statewide officials
- Jim Gray, former Kentucky secretary of transportation (2019–2026)[10]
- Labor unions
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Rocky Adkins |
Jacqueline Coleman |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[12][A] | May 12–13, 2026 | 650 (LV) | – | 14% | 40% | 45% |
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Filed paperwork
[edit]- Brett St. Amand, veteran[13][14]
- Rick Hardin, commonwealth's attorney for Kentucky's 46th judicial circuit (2018–present)[13][15]
- Charles "Bruiser" Martin, distiller and reality television contestant[13][16]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- James Comer, U.S. representative from KY-01 (2016–present) and candidate for governor in 2015[17]
- Savannah Maddox, state representative from the 61st district (2019–present) and candidate for governor in 2023[18]
- Thomas Massie, U.S. representative from KY-04 (2012–present)[19]
Potential
[edit]- Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky attorney general (2019–2024) and nominee for governor in 2023[3]
- Nate Morris, businessman and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026[3]
Declined
[edit]- Michael Adams, Kentucky secretary of state (2020–present) (endorsed Comer)[20]
- Stan Cave, former chief of staff to Governor Ernie Fletcher (2004–2007) and former state representative from the 45th district (1993–2001)[4]
- Russell Coleman, attorney general of Kentucky (2024–present)[18] (running for re-election)[21]
- KC Crosbie, co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2025–present)[4]
- Scott Jennings, political strategist[22]
- Robert Stivers, president of the Kentucky Senate (2013–present) from the 25th district (1997–present)[23]
Endorsements
[edit]James Comer (undeclared)
- Statewide officials
- Michael Adams, Kentucky secretary of state (2020–present)[20]
- Jonathan Shell, Kentucky commissioner of agriculture (2024–present)[24]
Polling
[edit]Notes
[edit]Partisan and media clients
- ↑ Poll sponsored by the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, which supports Coleman
References
[edit]- ↑ Aulbach, Lucas (July 21, 2026). "Rocky Adkins launches governor run as Democrat who 'can win in November'". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ Pinski, Hannah (July 22, 2026). "Rocky Adkins announces he's running for Kentucky governor in 2027". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on August 2, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Horn, Austin; Pinski, Hannah (April 20, 2026). "Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman launches Democratic run for KY governor in 2027". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on August 2, 2026. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Horn, Austin (January 5, 2026). "These Kentucky politicians could run for governor in 2027. Here's what they say". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
- ↑ Krauth, Olivia (August 5, 2026). "Kentucky governor's race 2027: Who's running". Hellbender Newsroom. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Coleman announces endorsements from three elected officials". Kentucky Forward. July 17, 2026. Archived from the original on July 28, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ Horsley, McKenna (April 20, 2026). "Democrat Jacqueline Coleman announces 2027 run for Kentucky governor". Kentucky Lantern. Archived from the original on July 16, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
- ↑ Goodman, Sylvia (April 20, 2026). "Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announces run for governor". Louisville Public Media. Archived from the original on July 29, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
- ↑ Aulbach, Lucas (June 26, 2026). "Abortion could be early debate in Democratic race for KY governor". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
- ↑ Snyder, Shepherd (July 21, 2026). "Adkins makes pitch to KY voters as bipartisan, working class choice in gubernatorial campaign launch". WEKU. Archived from the original on July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
- ↑ Kim-Martinez, Isaiah (July 22, 2026). "Rocky Adkins courts labor unions, teachers in Louisville rally for gubernatorial campaign". WHAS 11. Archived from the original on August 3, 2026. Retrieved August 3, 2026 – via MSN.
- ↑ "Kentucky Survey Results" (PDF). Public Policy Polling. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Candidate search - 2027 primary election". Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Fu, Jessica (November 22, 2022). "The US struggle to pay for food: 'No matter how well you budget, you will run out of something' - Economic Hardship Reporting Project". Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Kentucky Commonwealth's Attorneys' Association: 46th Judicial Circuit". www.kycommonwealthattorneys.org. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ↑ Wilcox, Chandler (December 18, 2022). "'What I make ain't your papaw's cough syrup:' EKY man named 'Master Distiller'". WYMT. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ Snyder, Aaron (May 7, 2026). "Comer talks 2027 plans in Greenup". The Daily Independent. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Aulbach, Lucas (April 20, 2026). "A way-too-early look at who could run for Kentucky governor in 2027". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 28, 2026. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ↑ Schnell, Mychael; Asghar, Syedah (May 20, 2026). "Thomas Massie warns Republicans not to learn the wrong lesson from his loss". MS NOW. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
- 1 2 Aulbach, Lucas (August 1, 2026). "Michael Adams won't run for governor, offers surprise endorsement instead". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
- ↑ Horsley, McKenna (June 26, 2026). "Republican Coleman to seek another term as Kentucky attorney general". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Scott Jennings: 'I Haven't Made Any Announcements' About Running For Senate in 2026". Barrett Media. September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ↑ Horsley, McKenna (July 27, 2026). "After speculation, Republican Stivers says he will not run for governor in 2027". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- ↑ Kim-Martinez, Isaiah (August 4, 2025). "James Comer, Jacqueline Coleman flirt with '27 run to replace Gov. Andy Beshear". WHAS11. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
- ↑ Brufke, Juliegrace (April 24, 2026). "Kentucky's 2027 Governor's Race May Be Over Before It Starts". Sources Say News. Archived from the original on April 25, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
External links
[edit]Official campaign websites
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