Can Democrats actually flip this red Kentucky district?

Politico
by By Finya Swai
March 13, 2026
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3 min read

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The Bottom Line

Democrats are competing for Kentucky's open House seat after Rep. Andy Barr left for Senate.

AI Summary

Rep. Andy Barr's decision to run for Senate instead of seeking reelection has created an open seat in Kentucky's 6th District, which hasn't elected a Democrat since Ben Chandler in 2010. Two Democratic primary frontrunners have emerged: Navy veteran Zach Dembo, who resigned from the Justice Department during Trump's second term, and former state representative Cherlynn Stevenson, who brands herself a "Mountain Democrat." Barr won his last reelection in 2024 by 26 points, outperforming Trump who carried the district by 15 points.

What's Being Done

Two Democratic candidates are running in the primary for the formerly red district.

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