Who’s Running for Kentucky Governor in 2027?
Last updated: Oct. 31, 2026
Quick answer: Two Democrats are in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Andy Beshear: Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and former Beshear advisor Rocky Adkins. Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer is widely expected to run but hasn’t officially entered. The primary is May 18, 2027, and the general election is Nov. 2, 2027.
Key dates
Filing deadline: Candidates have until January to file for the seat. wkyufm
Primary election: May 18, 2027 wvxu
General election: Nov. 2, 2027 wvxu
Why there’s no incumbent: Beshear was elected in 2019 and 2023 and can’t run again because of term limits. kentuckylantern
Democratic candidates
Jacqueline Coleman
Coleman is Kentucky’s lieutenant governor. She has run and won alongside Beshear twice. She announced her campaign on April 20, 2026, in Frankfort. She raised $303,709 in the second quarter and $236,391 from July through September. article ef7b09d2 117a 5f10 9985 ef342b4d2489 +2
Rocky Adkins
Adkins is a former Democratic leader in the Kentucky House and senior advisor to Beshear from Eastern Kentucky. He ran for governor in 2019 and finished second to Beshear, losing the nomination by 6 percentage points. He announced his campaign July 21, 2026. He reported raising $1.7 million in his first three months, three times Coleman’s total since she launched, and a supportive PAC raised another $285,500 for independent ads. Democrat Rocky Adkins officially enters Kentucky governor race +2
Republican field
James Comer (expected)
Comer is the U.S. representative for Kentucky’s 1st District and is considered the presumptive Republican frontrunner. He hasn’t formally entered. In September he said he would decide in the second or third week of November, and he’s expected to file soon after the November election. Kentucky law bars him from transferring his federal campaign money to a state campaign. He finished a close second to Matt Bevin in the 2015 GOP primary. After Years of High-Profile Probes, James Comer Eyes a New Political Prize +3
Who isn’t running
Secretary of State Michael Adams, who had been seen as a potential candidate, announced at the Fancy Farm picnic that he won’t run and will back Comer. RNC Co-Chair KC Crosbie also said she isn’t considering a run. wvxudailygazette
Other names on file
Geary Cooney, Rick Hardin, Charles Martin and Brett St. Amand have filed paperwork. One outlet reports that Jonathan Hay has announced an independent bid, though I couldn’t confirm that from official records. Check the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance and the Secretary of State’s candidate filings before listing anyone. ground
What happens next
November 2026: Comer is expected to announce. Others may enter.
January 2027: Candidate filing deadline.
May 18, 2027: Party primaries.
Nov. 2, 2027: General election.
Frequently asked questions
Is Andy Beshear running for governor in 2027?
No. He’s term-limited after serving two terms.
When is the Kentucky governor’s primary?
May 18, 2027.
Has James Comer officially announced?
Not as of Oct. 31, 2026. He has said an announcement is likely this fall.
Who is running for Kentucky Secretary of State in 2027?
Adams is term-limited, and Republicans Brad Holsclaw, Jack Whitfield and Mike Harmon have entered the race. No Democrat had filed as of mid-October. wvxu
