In Central Kentucky, more candidates for Congress have thrown their hats into the ring ahead of May’s primary — meaning the race is underway to raise cash from donors.
Between Republicans and Democrats, eight candidates have launched campaigns to succeed Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr. He is running for the U.S. Senate seat opened up by Sen. Mitch McConnell’s retirement.
Most of the candidates in the 6th Congressional District told the Kentucky Lantern that their latest fundraising numbers put them in a strong position to win their party’s nomination.
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Meanwhile, another competitive primary is heating up in Northern Kentucky, as President Donald Trump backs a challenger to unseat incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie.
Massie broke a personal fundraising record with his latest campaign finance reports as he fights for reelection in the 4th Congressional District.
The contributions come as Massie gains national attention for leading the charge to release the federal investigation files into convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.
Massie has gained a total of more than $1.8 million this year for his reelection campaign.
Ed Gallrein, the challenger President Donald Trump is backing in the primary against Massie, announced his campaign after the latest filing deadline and has not filed campaign finance reports yet. However, Trump’s support is likely to bring Gallrein cash. A Trump super PAC spent more than $1 million on ads against the congressman before a challenger candidate was named.
Republicans
On the Republican side, Dr. Ralph Alvarado, a former state senator, has the most cash, with a total of more than $376,900 raised between July and the end of September. As of the last campaign filing, his campaign has spent under $57,000.
“Our fundraising numbers prove that our message is winning with voters not only in Kentucky’s 6th District but across the Commonwealth and the nation,” Alvarado said in a statement to the Lantern. “People are investing in our campaign because they know I am the most qualified candidate to keep the 6th District in Republican hands. My primary opponents cannot say the same. They were both forced to pour more than a quarter million dollars of their own money into their campaigns in a desperate attempt to stay relevant.”
State Rep. Deanna Gordon has nearly $358,250 from July to September — most of which she provided. Records show Gordon loaned her campaign $268,000. Her campaign has spent nearly $43,900.
In a press release, her campaign said her numbers are “powerful show for the movement she’s building across Kentucky’s 6th District.”
“This campaign is powered by patriots, everyday Kentuckians, and those who love this country and are ready to fight for President Trump’s America First agenda,” Gordon said in the press release. “The American people delivered President Trump a clear mandate last fall and I’m ready to help him deliver his Agenda.”
State Rep. Ryan Dotson also made a major contribution to his campaign, lending it $260,000. He reported raising more than $324,460 from April to September. So far, the campaign has spent just over $14,770.
His campaign said in a statement to the Lantern that the finance report “makes clear that the grassroots is with Ryan Dotson” and puts him “in a uniquely strong position to win both the Primary and the General Election — backed by the people, not the political class.”
“The vast majority of support came from right here in Kentucky — from people who know Ryan, trust him, and have seen his leadership firsthand. He’s a pastor, a veteran, and a proven leader who raised his family in the same district he’s now running to represent. Ryan is proud to have called the Commonwealth home his entire life.”
Another Republican and a retired pharmaceutical executive from Nicholasville, Greg Plucinski, announced his candidacy last week after the latest campaign filing deadline. At present, he isn’t required to submit finance reports.
Democrats
Former Kentucky House Democratic caucus chair Cherlynn Stevenson has the most money of the Democratic field, but also the most spent. Between May and September, her campaign amassed more than $345,200, but also spent the most — more than $190,000.
In a press release, the Stevenson campaign said the reports show a lot of “grassroots support,” with donations from 88 of the state’s 120 counties, including all 16 within the 6th Congressional District. Nearly 70% of the campaign’s more than 5,000 donations are under $25, the campaign said.
“People are fired up to hear a Mountain Democrat stand up and fight for Kentucky values,” Stevenson said in the press release. “I’m proud that our campaign is being built by teachers, veterans, small business owners, and family farmers who love this Commonwealth as much as I do. And I’m proud to earn over 40 endorsements from people and organizations both in the district and all across Kentucky, including the IBEW and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman.”
Former federal prosecutor Zach Dembo gained fundraising momentum since announcing his candidacy this summer. Between June and September, the campaign has amassed more than $290,000 and spent more than $61,000. In a statement, Dembo’s campaign said it has more than 1,800 donors from more than half of Kentucky’s counties and all 50 states.
“This campaign is about sending a new leader to Congress who actually fights for the health, safety and rights of people in this district, and I’m grateful for the recognition that our campaign is ready for that challenge,” Dembo said in a statement. “My entire career, as a Navy JAG officer and federal prosecutor, I have been focused on public service and helping others, and now that call is more serious than ever. This outpouring of support comes from people all across Central Kentucky, and I know that if we keep working together, we will be successful in this campaign for hardworking families here.”
Former Lexington council member David Kloiber’s campaign garnered more than $176,000 between April and September and spent nearly $34,000. He loaned his campaign $127,000.
Program manager Erin Petrey’s campaign had more than $65,000 from July to September and spent more than $7,000. She loaned her campaign $5,000. Neither Kloiber’s campaign nor Petrey’s campaign returned requests for comment for this story.
In Northern Kentucky
Massie broke a personal fundraising record with his latest campaign finance reports as he fights for reelection in the 4th Congressional District. The contributions come as Massie gains national attention for leading the charge to release the federal investigation files into convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.
Massie has gained a total of more than $1.8 million this year for his reelection campaign.
Ed Gallrein, the challenger President Donald Trump is backing in the primary against Massie, announced his campaign after the latest filing deadline and has not filed campaign finance reports yet. However, Trump’s support is likely to bring Gallrein cash. A Trump super PAC spent more than $1 million on ads against the congressman before a challenger candidate was named.
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Written by McKenna Horsley. Cross-posted from the Kentucky Lantern.
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