Who's running in Kentucky's 3rd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Morgan McGarvey currently holds this seat
Low confidenceLow confidenceOnly one weak source, dated material, or indirect evidence. Treat specifics with caution.What would raise it: An official filing record and at least one independent report about this candidate would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Opposing Trump administration and Republican policies he says raised health care prices, defunded schools and cut food assistance.
Full restoration of the Ohio River.
A nationwide ban on no-knock search warrants, after the police killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville.
Helping Democrats 'take back the House'.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Kentucky's 3rd District since January 2023; reelected in 2024 with 61.9%.
Kentucky state senator for 10 years before Congress.
Says his office brought home $12 million in federal funding for Louisville and helped return more than $5 million to constituents dealing with federal agencies.
Endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Giffords and others, per Wikipedia.
Unopposed in the May 2026 Democratic primary.
Recruitment co-chair for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Arguments in favor
'Even in a Republican-controlled Congress, we built the coalitions necessary to pass meaningful legislation. We have brought home $12 million in federal funding for Louisville and helped return over $5 million to Louisville families struggling to navigate government red tape.'
— Morgan McGarvey, reelection filing statement reported by Spectrum News 1
Arguments against
'With how much money Morgan McGarvey has made trading stocks since getting to Congress, it's no surprise he sees the child tax credit expansion, eliminating taxes on tips, and a 15% tax cut that increases working-class Kentuckians' take-home pay by $10,000 as irrelevant or quaint.'
— Andy Westberry, Republican Party of Kentucky communications director, statement reported by Spectrum News 1 (July 2025)
What we couldn’t verify
No 2026 criticism of McGarvey by Rodriguez's campaign was found; the Republican criticism above dates from July 2025.
Whether debates with Rodriguez will be held had not been reported.
Restricting women's sports to biological females ('protecting women's sports').
Backing President Trump's policies, including tariffs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Born in Cuba; says she experienced political persecution before coming to the United States.
Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with about 48% in a four-way race, per Wikipedia's results.
Has not held elected office.
At the Republican Party of Kentucky's 2026 Lincoln Dinner she said that, having grown up under socialism in Cuba, 'America must reject socialism and continue to embrace the free market principles' behind its prosperity.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Rodriguez could be found, so no arguments are listed for her (her own case is in her positions and record). Searched: 'Maria Rodriguez McGarvey criticism', McGarvey campaign and Kentucky Democratic Party statements, her primary opponents, Ballotpedia, WHAS and The Messenger.
Her professional background could not be confirmed from a primary source; descriptions vary (Wikipedia: cleaning contractor; other outlets: nurse).
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Kentucky's general election is November 3, 2026, and the candidate with the most votes wins; there is no runoff. Party primaries were held May 19, 2026. The congressional map did not change for 2026: the current districts were adopted in January 2022, when the General Assembly overrode Gov. Andy Beshear's veto, and Section 33 of the Kentucky Constitution bars mid-decade redistricting. No 2026 redraw or pending map litigation was found. Two candidates are on the ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate filings: Democratic incumbent Morgan McGarvey and Republican Maria Teresa Rodriguez, listed here in the Secretary of State's order. McGarvey had no primary opponent after community activist Jared Randall withdrew; Rodriguez beat David Nichter, Daniel Cobble and Donald Pay in the Republican primary. Independent Oumou Diallo, who had announced a run, did not qualify for the ballot. No write-in candidates had filed for this district. The district covers nearly all of Louisville/Jefferson County. McGarvey won with 61.9% in 2024; he is Kentucky's only Democratic member of Congress.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Kentucky ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Kentucky State Board of Elections.