2027 Kentucky gubernatorial election
November 2, 2027
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The 2027 Kentucky gubernatorial election will be held on November 2, 2027, in the U.S. state of Kentucky to elect its next governor. Incumbent Democratic governor Andy Beshear will be ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Kentucky prohibits its governors from serving more than two consecutive terms.
This will be the only Democratic-held governorship up for election in 2027. Republican Donald Trump carried the state in the 2024 presidential election by a margin of 30.5%.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Publicly expressed interest
- Jacqueline Coleman, lieutenant governor of Kentucky (2019–present)[1]
Potential
- Rocky Adkins, senior advisor to the governor (2019–present), former minority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives (2017–2019), and candidate for governor in 2019[2]
Declined
- Adam Edelen, former Kentucky auditor of public accounts (2012–2016) and candidate for governor in 2019[3]
Republican primary
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Rick Hardin, commonwealth attorney for Kentucky's 46th judicial circuit (2018–present)[4][5]
Publicly expressed interest
- Michael Adams, Kentucky secretary of state (2020–present)[3][6][7][8]
- James Comer, U.S. representative from Kentucky's 1st congressional district (2016–present), former agriculture commissioner of Kentucky (2012–2016), and candidate for governor in 2015[9]
- Damon Thayer, former majority leader of the Kentucky Senate (2013–2025) and from Kentucky's 17th senate district (2003–2025)[6]
Potential
- Thomas Massie, U.S. representative from Kentucky's 4th congressional district (2012–present)[3]
Declined
- Stan Cave, former chief of staff to Governor Ernie Fletcher (2004–2007) and former state representative from Kentucky's 45th House district (1993–2001)[3]
- KC Crosbie, co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2025–present), former member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council from the 7th district (2006–2012), and nominee for state treasurer in 2011[3]
- Scott Jennings, political strategist[10]
References
- ^ Horsley, McKenna (August 4, 2025). "Coleman vs. Comer? 2 politicos fuel speculation for 2027 governor's race in West Kentucky • Kentucky Lantern". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
- ^ Horsley, Mckenna (November 9, 2023). "What could Kentucky's ballot look like in 2027?". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Horn, Austin (January 5, 2026). "These Kentucky politicians could run for governor in 2027. Here's what they say". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
- ^ "Candidate search - 2027 primary election". Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Kentucky Commonwealth's Attorneys' Association: 46th Judicial Circuit". www.kycommonwealthattorneys.org. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Rice, Lewis. "Election Defender". Harvard Law School. Harvard Law School. Archived from the original on November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Aulbach, Lucas (August 5, 2025). "Governor Comer? The most popular man at Kentucky's biggest political rally is open to it". Courier Journal. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "Scott Jennings: 'I Haven't Made Any Announcements' About Running For Senate in 2026". Barrett Media. September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.