2020 United States Senate election in Kentucky
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The 2020 United States Senate election in Kentucky will be held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the U.S. Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Moscow Mitch McConnell, incumbent U.S. Senator, incumbent Senate Majority Leader, former Senate Minority Leader and former Senate Majority Whip[1][2]
- Wesley Morgan, former state representative[3]
Declined
- Matt Bevin, incumbent Governor of Kentucky[4]
Endorsements
Mitch McConnell
- Federal officials
- Donald Trump, President of the United States[5][6]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Mike Broihier, farmer and former U.S. Marine[7]
- Steven Cox, RPhT, health care advocate[8]
- Amy McGrath, nominee for Kentucky's 6th congressional district in 2018 and former lieutenant colonel in the United States Marine Corps[9]
- Bennie J. Smith[10]
- Jimmy Ausbrooks, mental health counselor
Formed Exploratory Committee
- Matt Jones, attorney, media personality, and restaurateur (decision expected after the November 5th Gubernatorial Election)
Potential
- Rocky Adkins, Minority Leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives and candidate for Governor of Kentucky in 2019[11][12][13]
- Andy Beshear, incumbent Attorney General of Kentucky, nominee for Governor of Kentucky in 2019 and son of former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear[14]
- Steve Beshear, former Governor of Kentucky and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1996[14]
- Charles Booker, member of the Kentucky House of Representatives[15]
- Jack Conway, former Attorney General of Kentucky, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010, nominee for Governor of Kentucky in 2015[14]
- Adam Edelen, former State Auditor and candidate for Governor of Kentucky in 2019[14]
- Greg Fischer, Mayor of Louisville[16]
- Jim Gray, former Mayor of Lexington and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2016[17]
- Alison Lundergan Grimes, Secretary of State of Kentucky and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014[14]
Endorsements
Amy McGrath
- U.S. Senators
- Ron Wyden, U.S. Senator (D-OR)[18]
- Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator (D-OR)[19]
- Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator (D-CT)[20]
- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator (D-CO); 2020 presidential candidate[21]
- Cory Booker, U.S. Senator (D-NJ); 2020 presidential candidate[22]
- Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator (D-NY); former 2020 presidential candidate[23]
- Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator (D-CA); 2020 presidential candidate[24]
- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator (D-MN); 2020 presidential candidate[25]
- Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator (D-MA); 2020 presidential candidate[26]
- US Representatives
- Eric Swalwell, U.S. Representative (D-CA); former 2020 presidential candidate[27]
- Katie Hill, U.S. Representative (D-CA)[28]
- John Delaney, former U.S. Representative (D-MD); 2020 presidential candidate[29]
- US Governors
- Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana; 2020 presidential candidate[30]
- Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington; former 2020 presidential candidate[31]
- State legislators
- Richard Ojeda, former West Virginia State Senator; former 2020 presidential candidate[32]
- Greg Stumbo, former Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives[33]
- Local officials
- Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend; 2020 presidential candidate[34]
- Individuals
- Rene Auberjonois, actor[35]
- Stephen King, author and activist[36]
- Patton Oswalt, actor and comedian[37]
- Adam Scott, actor and comedian[38]
- Bette Midler, actress and activist[39]
- Vincent D'Onofrio, actor and producer[40]
- Alyssa Milano, actress and activist[41]
- Brandon Reilly, 23rd District State Representative candidate[42]
- Jennifer Hale, voice actress and activist[43]
- Micah Wright, writer and socialist activist[44]
- Chelsea Handler, comedian and activist[45]
- Erin Fitzgerald, voice actress and activist[46]
- Mark Hamill, actor and activist[47]
- Charlie Adler, voice actor and activist[48]
- Ashly Burch, actress and activist[49]
General election
Polling
- with Amy McGrath
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mitch McConnell (R) |
Amy McGrath (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabrizio Ward/AARP | July 29–31, 2019 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 47% | 46% | 5% |
- with Jim Gray
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mitch McConnell (R) |
Jim Gray (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravis Marketing | June 11–12, 2019 | 741 | ± 3.6% | 49% | 41% | 10% |
Hypothetical polling
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Notes
- Partisan clients
References
- ^ Mitch McConnell to Kentucky Gov. Bevin: Stay home and run for re-election
- ^ Beam, Adam. "McConnell announces re-elect campaign at Fancy Farm picnic". Associated Press.
- ^ Brammer, Jack (May 29, 2019). "Former Kentucky lawmaker challenging Mitch McConnell in GOP primary for U.S. Senate". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Cohen, Zach C. [@Zachary_Cohen] (March 6, 2019). "Lil' news in the kicker here: #KYgov @MattBevin, McConnell's 2014 primary challenger, said he will "of course" support McConnell's #KYsen reelection in 2020.🔒http://njour.nl/s/677069" (Tweet). Retrieved March 6, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ @realDonaldTrump (July 9, 2019). "Democrats are coming after our great Kentucky Senator, Mitch McConnell, with someone who compared my election to September 11th..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @realDonaldTrump (July 9, 2019). "....Why would Kentucky ever think of giving up the most powerful position in Congress, the Senate Majority Leader, for a freshman Senator with little power in what will hopefully be the minority party. We need Mitch in the Senate to Keep America Great!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Bailey, Phillip (July 18, 2019). "Kentucky farmer, retired Marine wants to challenge Mitch McConnell in 2020 US Senate race". The Courier-Journal.
- ^ Template:Cite Campaign Page
- ^ Daniel Desrochers (July 9, 2019). "Amy McGrath launches campaign for U.S. Senate, Pro-Trump Democrat". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/BJSMITH4US20/
- ^ Desrochers, Daniel (June 26, 2019). "Will Rocky Adkins be on the ballot in 2020? He says he's being courted for big races". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ Staff, WYMT News. "Rocky Adkins approached as potential challenger for Mitch McConnell". wymt.com. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- ^ "Rocky Adkins Interview". HKY. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Green, J.P. (March 20, 2019). "Can McConnell Be Defeated in 2020?". The Democratic Strategist. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
- ^ "Amy McGrath's rocky rollout has this Louisville lawmaker considering a US Senate bid". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ^ Bailey, Phillip M. (March 12, 2019). "Amy McGrath vs Mitch McConnell in 2020? Group launches campaign to 'draft' her". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ Singiser, Steve. "Here's our ultimate Democratic wishlist for Senate in 2020. Who's on yours?". Daily Kos. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ Ron Wyden. "Mitch McConnell has spent his time in Congress fighting for special interests and corporations. @AmyMcGrathKY is the champion of working families we need to replace McConnell in the Senate". Twitter.
- ^ Jeff Merkley. "Think about the one issue you care about more than anything else, that makes you determined to fight for Democrats in 2020. Now think about how much more likely we are to achieve that goal w/ Mitch McConnell gone. I support @AmyMcGrathKY". Twitter.
- ^ Chris Murphy. "Take 3 minutes to watch this. And then take 3 more minutes to click here to make a small donation to help beat Mitch McConnell". Twitter.
- ^ Michael Bennet. "Washington is a three-ring circus: @realDonaldTrump spins the plates, while Mitch McConnell is the ringmaster. We need to replace McConnell and end his attack on our institutions. @AmyMcGrathKY can get the job done". Twitter.
- ^ Cory Booker. "We all know how important it is that we win in 2020—not just the presidency but also the Senate. I'm excited to support @AmyMcGrathKY who is running to replace Mitch McConnell". Twitter.
- ^ Kirsten Gillibrand. "At the debates last month, the candidates were asked how we'd deal with Mitch McConnell if we're elected president. Here's one solution: We replace him. I'm proud to endorse @AmyMcGrathKY for U.S. Senate. Let's win this fight". Twitter.
- ^ Kamala Harris. "From the Naval Academy to her historic Marine combat flight to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Pentagon, @AmyMcGrathKY has dedicated her life to serving our country. Thank you for stepping up and continuing your leadership". Twitter.
- ^ Amy Klobuchar. "Wow. Worth your time to watch. From one Amy to another, we need you here! @AmyMcGrathKY". Twitter.
- ^ Elizabeth Warren. ".@AmyMcGrathKY is a real fighter for working families in Kentucky and across the country. She inspired us in 2018, and now she's running for the U.S. Senate. Go Amy!". Twitter.
- ^ Eric Swalwell. "A lot of Dem presidential candidates were asked how they'd work with @senatemajldr McConnell. Lots of different approaches. But the right answer is, "He won't be in the Senate. @AmyMcGrathKY will beat him." #DitchMitch2020". Twitter.
- ^ Katie Hill (July 9, 2019). "Time to get the self-proclaimed "grim reaper" out of office so we can finally pass the violence against women's act, government reform (HR1), prescription drug reform and so much more. Thank you, @AmyMcGrathKY, for fighting to restore our democracy. We're with you".
- ^ John Delaney. ""There is a path to resetting our country's moral compass." Well said, @AmyMcGrathKY. It's wonderful to see inspirational leaders like you stepping up to fight for a better future". Twitter.
- ^ Steve Bullock. "McConnell has stood in the way of American progress for decades. He has to go, and there's no one like @AmyMcGrathKY to get this job done. Kentuckians deserve a fighter like her in the Senate". Twitter.
- ^ Jay Inslee. "Mitch McConnell will go down in history as one of the greatest threats to American democracy. We will not achieve progress by working with him — so we must beat him". Twitter.
- ^ Richard Ojeda [@VoteOjeda2020] (July 9, 2019). "Kentucky!!!! You can be the real heroes come November 2020 when you finally send Mitch McConnell home. Replace him with a true American leader who learned leadership as a Marine! This video is Spot On! #McGrath4Senate" (Tweet). Retrieved July 10, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ "GMcGrath and Stumbo join protesting Harlan County miners who blocked a coal train". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- ^ Pete Buttigieg. "Our democracy is on the ballot in 2020—and taking back the Senate is key to restoring it. I'm grateful to @AmyMcGrathKY for her years of service and thrilled to see her candidacy". Twitter.
- ^ Rene Auberjonois. "I just chipped in to help @AmyMcGrathKY defeat Mitch McConnell in 2020". Twitter.
- ^ Stephen King. "#DitchMitch". Twitter.
- ^ Patton Oswalt. "Defeat Mitch McConnell and defend democracy". Twitter.
- ^ Adam Scott. "✊✊✊". Twitter.
- ^ Bette Midler. "This is great! A woman who is NOT married to a member of a huge Chinese shipping factory, and who ACTUALLY SERVED IN THE MILITARY, not like #bitchMitch who got out after 5 weeks!". Twitter.
- ^ Vincent D'Onofrio. "You go get'm @AmyMcGrathKY We have your back!". Twitter.
- ^ Alyssa Milano. "DONATED". Twitter.
- ^ Brandon Reilly. "Matt, please do not run. We need strong women, women of color, and representation of the LGBTQ community in the senate. You can play a greater role by supporting others in the race to promote diversity and women!". Twitter.
- ^ Jennifer Hale. "💪🏼👍🏼 #DitchMitch bring on the #WrathOfMcgrath". Twitter.
- ^ Micah Wright. "It would be glorious if this chinless worm lost his senate seat. When the history of America is finalized, he will truly deserve his nickname "Gravedigger of Democracy." No one has done more to destroy our country than Mitch McConnell". Twitter.
- ^ Chelsea Handler. "I love this woman, and nothing would be more beautiful than an army veteran replacing Mitch McConnell". Twitter.
- ^ Erin Fitzgerald. "I just donated to help get the evil little turtle man (mitch mcconnell) out of the Senate and get this AMAZING WOMAN IN! ... YOU CAN TOO!! @AmyMcGrathKY defeat Mitch McConnell in 2020". Twitter.
- ^ Mark Hamill. "Here's hoping @AmyMcGrathKY provides #MoscowMitch a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week on Election Day! #TheForceIsWithAMY 👍". Twitter.
- ^ Charlie Adler. "Well she's got my vote , my support and confidence . And your distortions ,lies and support of #MoscoWMitch and his endless corruption , and obstruction just mobilizes #TheResistance . Keep lying pal keeps us focused . Mitch's approval btw is 18% statewide ". Twitter.
- ^ Ashly Burch. "👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼". Twitter.
External links
- Official campaign websites