Who's running in Kentucky's 4th congressional district
3 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.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Tackling the affordability crisis, including housing, grocery and daily costs.
Expanding access to health care and protecting rural hospitals.
More public education funding and expanded pre-K.
Independent, ethical representation and regular visits to all of the district's counties.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Director of supply chain management at Archer Daniels Midland in Erlanger.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary against Jesse Brewer.
Has not held elected office.
Only one Democrat, Ken Lucas (1999–2005), has represented the district since 1967.
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 Strange could be found, so no arguments are listed for her (her campaign's case is in her positions). Searched: 'Gallrein campaign Melissa Strange criticism', 'Republican Party of Kentucky Melissa Strange', her primary opponent Jesse Brewer, and LINK nky, Spectrum News 1 and WAVE coverage.
Cutting taxes and regulations and stopping 'reckless spending' blamed for inflation.
Finishing the southern border wall and fully funding Border Patrol and ICE.
Protecting gun rights 'without compromise' and backing police.
Opposing abortion.
Eliminating DEI programmes in schools, the military and government.
Working in step with President Trump's agenda.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Navy, 1984–2014; retired as a SEAL captain (O-6) with multiple Bronze Stars, per his campaign.
Farmer and business owner in Shelby County; later an executive coach and public speaker.
Lost the 2024 Republican primary for Kentucky Senate District 7 to Aaron Reed, 39.3% to 38.3%.
Endorsed by President Trump in October 2025; beat Massie in the May 19, 2026 primary.
Declined at least five debate invitations during the primary, including one on KET.
Arguments in favor
'This district is Trump Country. The president doesn't need obstacles in Congress — he needs backup.' He will 'stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump, and deliver the America First results Kentuckians voted for.'
— Ed Gallrein, quoted by Ballotpedia News
A decorated 30-year Navy SEAL officer who returned to his family's farm, he has spent his life serving Kentucky and America and is ready to 'answer the call again'.
— Ed Gallrein campaign website
Arguments against
He declined five debate invitations in the primary; 'People in the 4th Congressional District deserve a debate,' and winning with a multimillion-dollar TV ad budget is not a substitute for facing voters.
— The Daily Independent (Ashland) editorial board
'Kentucky isn't for sale. We will not allow Washington insiders or outside money to simply purchase a seat in Congress' — a reference to the record outside spending that helped Gallrein defeat Massie.
— Jeremy Todd, Libertarian opponent, campaign press release (reported by LINK nky)
What we couldn’t verify
Whether Gallrein will debate Strange or Todd had not been reported; Kentucky Public Radio said its interview requests were ignored during the primary.
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. This is effectively an open seat: seven-term Republican Rep. Thomas Massie lost the May 19 Republican primary by about 10 points to Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein, in what was reported as the most expensive House primary on record. Massie is not on the November ballot; Kentucky did not list him as a write-in candidate. Three candidates are on the ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate filings: Democrat Melissa Claire Strange, Republican Ed Gallrein and Libertarian Jeremy Todd, listed here in the Secretary of State's order. Strange beat Jesse Brewer in the Democratic primary. Todd was nominated by the Libertarian Party of Kentucky the day after Massie's defeat and qualified by petition on June 2. Kentucky Party candidate Mohammad Wael Ahmad filed but is listed by the Secretary of State as withdrawn. Peter Harmon Williams has filed as a write-in candidate; write-ins are not included here. The district runs along the Ohio River across northern Kentucky, from the Cincinnati suburbs and Louisville's eastern suburbs to Greenup County. Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the general election Solid Republican.
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.