Kentucky Votes as 36 States Hold Gubernatorial Elections
Kentucky voters cast ballots in high-stakes congressional and local races while 36 U.S. states hold gubernatorial elections to determine party control of governorships.
Kentucky held a series of high-stakes elections on November 3, 2026, featuring a critical race for the Sixth Congressional District between Democratic nominee Zach Dembo and Republican Ralph Alvarado. Governor Andy Beshear invested significant political capital and super PAC funds to help Democrats flip the district for the first time in 14 years, a contest viewed as a national bellwether for Democratic performance in the House and Senate.
Kentucky voters also decided on a constitutional amendment to limit a governor's power to issue pardons and commutations at the end of their term. Other major contests in the state included a U.S. Senate race between Republican Andy Barr and Democrat Charles Booker, as well as mayoral elections in Louisville and Lexington. While Republicans maintain a supermajority in the Kentucky General Assembly, Democrats targeted several suburban districts in Louisville.
These local contests occurred alongside a broader national cycle in which 36 U.S. states held gubernatorial elections. With 19 open seats due to retirements or term limits, the Democratic Party sought to secure a majority of governorships for the first time since 2010. Key battlegrounds included Nevada, where Governor Joe Lombardo faced Attorney General Aaron Ford, and Ohio, where Vivek Ramaswamy faced a challenge from Amy Acton. Results from these races in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin are expected to serve as early indicators of party strength leading into the 2028 presidential election.
