Who's In the Race

Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) faces Democrat Ned Pillersdorf, independent Mikel Wein, and independent Billy Ray Wilson in the November 3 general election in Kentucky's 5th District. ​

Rogers has represented the district since 1981, a tenure of at least 45 years, and previously chaired the House Appropriations Committee from 2011 to 2016. He won the May 19 Republican primary with about 77% of the vote, beating runner-up Kevin Smith by about 66 percentage points.

Ned Pillersdorf ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on May 19. He is a lawyer who has worked with several local nonprofits serving impoverished citizens.

Wein is a community organizer in Whitesburg, ">according to WYMT.

Wilson is a former Air Force serviceman and a write-in candidate, according to his website.

What They Stand For

Rogers has supported domestic energy production, particularly coal mining, according to his official House website. He's also supported:

  • Economic development, job creation, and stronger infrastructure for the district,
  • Expanding access to medical services and improving health facilities in underserved areas,
  • Protecting Social Security while keeping it solvent for future generations; and
  • Simplifying the tax code, ending the estate tax, and reducing taxes on small businesses and working families.

Pillersdorf has opposed cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, food assistance, utility aid for low-income people, public media, Job Corps, and cancer research, arguing those cuts benefit wealthy taxpayers at vulnerable neighbors' expense, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • "Uncapping the House," a proposal listed on his campaign website,
  • representing former clients of convicted lawyer Eric C. Conn; and
  • poverty-law practice spanning 44 years, largely in that field, and work with nonprofit organizations.

Wein has proposed a government-run universal health-care system, calling for passage of Medicare for All, according to his campaign website. He has also proposed federal funding for county community centers and childcare through a "Centralizing Rural Communities Act," according to WYMT.

Wilson has written several books on constitutional issues, according to his website.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Rogers, a 95.61% chance of winning as of Oct. 15; Democrats, whose nominee is Pillersdorf, stood at 4.39%.

Rogers won about 82% of the vote in 2022 and took 100% of the vote in 2024. Republicans won five of Kentucky's six U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, with Democrats holding one. Donald Trump carried Kentucky in the 2024 presidential election with about 64% of the vote.

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