Ralph Alvarado’s campaign website used to promise that, if elected to represent Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, he would be in lockstep with President Trump.
Branding himself as an “America First Fighter,” Alvarado touted his ties and a decade’s worth of loyalty to Trump. A photo of the duo was prominently featured.
“President Trump needs more allies in Congress to deliver on his bold vision to Make America Great Again,” Alvarado’s website used to read. “With your help, I will be that fighter.”
Alvarado snagged Trump’s endorsement ahead of Kentucky’s May primaries, easily winning the Republican nomination in what is quickly becoming one of Kentucky’s most competitive races.
“Thank you President Trump for your COMPLETE and TOTAL ENDORSEMENT,” Alvarado said on social media after receiving the endorsement in May. “I will not let you down!”
But, at some point in the last two weeks of August, Alvarado quietly scrubbed any mention of Trump from his website.
Alvarado’s refreshed website signals a serious shift as he finds himself in a neck-and-neck race with Democrat Zach Dembo, who is gaining more national attention as Democrats hope to flip the seat.
Lines about being a conservative, America First fighter have been replaced with offers of “independent leadership.” Alvarado’s policy interests now lean more into improving healthcare access and making life more affordable.
“Healthcare isn’t a talking point to me — it’s been my life’s work,” Alvarado’s site now reads. “In Congress, I’ll work with both parties to fight for affordable healthcare, lower costs, and practical solutions that help Kentucky families.”
Alvarado’s team did not respond to questions about what prompted the shift and whether or not he still supports Trump.
“The only consistent things about Ralph Alvarado are his self-serving conduct and his terrible judgement,” Colmon Elridge, the chair of the Kentucky Democrats, said in a statement. “Alvarado is now desperately trying to cover up his support for Trump’s policies that are making everyday life impossible for Kentucky families.”
The changes, first reported by NBC News and independently checked and confirmed by Hellbender Newsroom, come as Trump’s popularity—even in Kentucky—is plummeting.
A recent YouGov/Economist projection found Trump’s net job approval rating is negative in all but three states. Kentucky is not one of those three.
Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, which covers Lexington and parts of central Kentucky, has nearly equal amounts of registered Republicans and Democrats. It has been held by a Republican—Rep. Andy Barr—for several years, and the nonpartisan Cook Political Report still considers it a likely Republican win this fall.
This story may be updated.
