Kentucky, it is time to start thinking about who should be the next governor.
Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat first elected in 2019, has served the two terms in office allowed to him under state law, so Kentucky voters will need to pick his successor in 2027.
Kentucky’s 2027 gubernatorial race is expected to be particularly consequential: As Kentucky has moved more and more to the right politically, the governor’s mansion is the last statewide constitutional office held by a Democrat. Republicans see winning back the governor’s seat as critical to fully making Kentucky a red state; Democrats see staying in the seat as protecting what is often the last line of defense against a GOP-dominated state legislature.
Candidates have until the first week of January to throw their hat in the ring, and Democrats and Republicans will pick their candidates during the primary elections in mid-May. Kentucky’s next governor will be elected in November 2027 and sworn in in December.
Hellbender will be tracking who’s running, who might be running, and who isn’t from now until January. Make sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates. You can also sign up for our free weekly newsletter and follow us on social media for news on the race and all things Kentucky politics.
This list was last updated Aug. 5, 2026.
Who’s in?
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman (D)
Coleman, Beshear’s second-in-command since 2019, was the first major candidate to jump in the race, announcing her campaign in mid-April 2026.
Before public office, Coleman worked in public education as both an educator and coach—themes she’s leaned into both in the Beshear administration and during her campaign thus far.
Rocky Adkins (D)
Adkins is no stranger to Frankfort, serving for decades in the state House—including a lengthy stint as the Democrats’ floor leader—before spending the last seven years as a senior special advisor to Beshear.
Adkins announced his campaign in July 2026, shortly after leaving his advisor role with Beshear’s administration. He previously ran for governor in 2019, coming in second to Beshear in the primary.
Who’s expected to run?
US Rep. James Comer (R)
Comer’s gubernatorial campaign is all but official.
Comer is running for reelection to Kentucky’s 1st congressional district in the fall of 2026, and has said he’ll have news on a 2027 gubernatorial run after the November midterms. Republicans have been pushing him to run for years, with at least one potential GOP contender opting not to run in order to rally support for Comer.
Before heading to DC, Comer served 12 years in the state House and a term as Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner before running for governor in 2015, coming up short to eventual Kentucky governor Matt Bevin.
Who’s a maybe?
US Rep. Thomas Massie (R)
Massie, who lost his reelection bid for Kentucky’s 4th congressional district in May, has had his name tossed around as a potential gubernatorial candidate once his term wraps up at the end of 2026. He hasn’t leaned too far into the speculation quite yet, and it is unclear if he’ll actually run.
Who’s not running?
Secretary of State Michael Adams (R)
After months of teasing a potential gubernatorial campaign on social media, Adams—who is term-limited as secretary of state—announced he was not running for governor, instead tossing his support behind Comer.
Senate President Robert Stivers (R)
The Clay County Republican announced in a July press release that he plans on sticking with his current gig leading the Kentucky Senate, declining a 2027 gubernatorial run.
Attica Scott (D)
The former state representative from Louisville said on social media in late July she won’t be running, saying it is more important to her to support other candidates right now than stage a campaign herself.
