News Summary
State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe announced she will not run for the vacant seat in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, prioritizing her family and health. This decision shifts the dynamics of the Republican primary, where she was a frontrunner. Current Representative Andy Barr is stepping down to pursue a U.S. Senate seat, leading to a competitive race with emerging candidates from both parties. Bledsoe, committed to her legislative role, suggests support for a yet-to-be-named Republican candidate entering the race.
Lexington, Kentucky – State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe has decided not to run for the vacant seat in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, following months of speculation regarding her candidacy. Bledsoe made the announcement in an interview, emphasizing her priority to be present for her children as they complete high school, along with upcoming surgeries to recover from a horse-related injury sustained in 2023.
The 6th Congressional District will soon be open as current Representative Andy Barr prepares to run for a U.S. Senate seat. Bledsoe’s absence from the race changes the dynamics of the upcoming Republican primary, where she was previously considered a frontrunner due to her name recognition and strong fundraising capabilities.
State Representative Ryan Dotson is currently the only declared Republican candidate to replace Barr. Following Bledsoe’s announcement, former GOP state senator Ralph Alvarado, who now serves as Tennessee’s health department commissioner, expressed interest in possibly running for the seat. Alvarado mentioned that both he and his wife are actively considering a candidacy.
Besides Republican candidates, two prominent Democrats have already announced their intentions to run. Cherlynn Stevenson, a former member of the Democratic House leadership, is joined by David Kloiber, a former Lexington city councilman and a candidate for mayor. This Democrats’ early engagement indicates that the race could be competitive, with Bledsoe hinting that she would support an as-yet-unnamed candidate who may enter the Republican race soon.
Bledsoe’s decision not to pursue the congressional seat is a notable shift for the Republican Party in Kentucky. T.J. Litafik, a GOP consultant, suggests that her departure from the race opens the door for various candidates, making the primary more competitive. Bledsoe remains committed to her role in the state legislature and plans to support Republican initiatives during the upcoming elections.
In her previous positions, Bledsoe has served on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council and as the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee. Her decision underscores a focus on family and personal health as she navigates through recovery, affirming that although she believes she could win the congressional seat, both her and her family’s timing is paramount.
The primary elections for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District are scheduled for May 2026. As the political landscape begins to shift with new candidates emerging and established figures considering their options, the focus will turn to how these developments will shape the Republican and Democratic races in the lead-up to the primaries.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Bledsoe’s Decision
- Wikipedia: Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District
- Kentucky Lantern: Physician Politician
- Google Search: Kentucky politics
- Daily Independent: Republican Physician Politician
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Politics
- Spectrum News: Candidates for Congress
- Google News: Congress Candidates Kentucky
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
