2027 Kentucky gubernatorial election

See also: 2027 United States gubernatorial elections

2027 Kentucky gubernatorial election

November 2, 2027

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor Andy Beshear Democratic

The 2027 Kentucky gubernatorial election will be held on November 2, 2027. Incumbent Democratic Governor Andy Beshear will be ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Kentucky prohibits the state's governors from serving three consecutive terms.

This will be the only Democratic-held governorship up for election in 2027 that Donald Trump won the state in the 2024 presidential election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Potential

• Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to the governor (2019–present), minority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives (2017–2019), majority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives (2004–2017) and candidate for governor in 2019^[1]
• Jacqueline Coleman, incumbent lieutenant governor (2019–present)^[1]
• Adam Edelen, former State Auditor, and candidate for Governor in 2019^[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• James Comer, U.S. representative from Kentucky's 1st congressional district (2016–present), former agriculture commissioner of Kentucky (2012–2016) and former state representative from Kentucky's 53rd district (2001–2012)^[2]
• Nate Morris, business conglomerate owner^[3]
• Damon Thayer, former majority leader of the Kentucky Senate (2013–2025) and former state senator from Kentucky's 13th Senate district (2003–2025)^[4]

Potential

• Michael Adams, secretary of state of Kentucky (2020–present)^[4][5][6]

Declined

• Andy Barr, U.S. representative from Kentucky’s 6th congressional district (2013–present) (running for U.S. Senate)^[7]
• Daniel Cameron, former attorney general of Kentucky (2019–2024) and nominee for governor in 2023 (running for U.S. Senate)^[8]
• Thomas Massie, U.S. representative from Kentucky's 4th congressional district (2012–present) (running for re-election)^[9]

References

1. Horsley, Mckenna (November 9, 2023). "What could Kentucky's ballot look like in 2027?". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
2. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (February 12, 2025). "Morning Digest: Mitch McConnell hasn't said he's retiring, but everyone's acting like it". Downballot. Retrieved February 12, 2025. Rep. James Comer recently informed Spectrum News' Mario Anderson that he'll seek reelection to the House in 2026, though he added that he's considering running for governor the following year.
3. Goba, Kadia; Everett, Burgess (February 20, 2025). "Kentucky Republicans already tangling over McConnell's succession". Semafor.
4. Kim-Martinez, Isaiah (December 10, 2024). "Outgoing Republican senator mulls future run for governor, says he'd be 'salesman for Kentucky' if elected". WHAS11. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
5. Rice, Lewis. "Election Defender". Harvard Law School. Harvard Law School. Archived from the original on November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
6. Horsley, McKenna. "KY Secretary of State Adams is mulling a run for governor, according to law school interview". Kentucky Lantern. Kentucky Lantern. Archived from the original on November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
7. Horn, Austin (April 22, 2025). "Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr launches bid for U.S. Senate, gets Rogers' support". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
8. Horn, Austin (February 20, 2025). "Daniel Cameron launches 2026 U.S. Senate bid on heels of Mitch McConnell announcement". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
9. Walker, Jackson (March 11, 2025). "Thomas Massie announces reelection bid as Trump vows to back primary challenger". The National Desk. Retrieved March 11, 2025.