What to watch for in Kentucky’s 2026 primary elections

Published May 17, 2026 6:00am ET



Kentucky voters will head to the ballot boxes on Tuesday for the 2026 primary elections, weighing in on hundreds of state races and several federal races with major national implications.

Across the state, Kentuckians will weigh in on the primaries for all six U.S. House seats, all state House seats, half of the state’s Senate seats, and one U.S. Senate seat. The most-watched races nationally will be in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, which will be a major test of President Donald Trump’s endorsement power, and the race to fill retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) seat.

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