Who's In the Race

James Comer is the Republican incumbent running for the U.S. House from Kentucky's 1st District. Comer has represented the district since 2016, previously serving in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2000 to 2012 and as Kentucky's agriculture commissioner from 2012 to 2016. ​

John "Drew" Williams is a dock builder who says he began working with his family building boat docks at age 14 and graduated from Murray State University in 2016 with a degree in history.

Comer won the Republican primary on May 19 with about 88 percent of the vote over runner-up David Sims. Williams ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

What They Stand For

Comer has supported protecting rural health-care providers, strengthening Medicare, and giving patients greater control over health-care decisions, according to his official House website. He's also supported:

  • Holding violent criminals accountable rather than creating new barriers for responsible gun owners,
  • Continued federal funding for Kentucky schools while ensuring federal education policies serve students' interests,
  • Improving roads, bridges, waterways, riverports, and water systems through work with local, state, and federal leaders; and
  • A strong national defense, military readiness, and improving servicemembers' quality of life.

Williams has proposed policy focused on accountability, health care, workforce dignity, and economic growth, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Congressional reform that builds systems rewarding "honesty over access, engagement over entitlement, and service over self-interest."

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Comer raised about $1.9 million through June 30 and had about $3 million in the bank. Williams raised about $119,000 through June 30 and had about $20,000 cash on hand, with about $1,700 in debt.

Outside spending in the race totaled just $1.51 as of Oct. 13, all of it backing Williams, spent by New Power PAC.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The 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.

Kalshi traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Comer, a 96.36 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Comer carried the district with about 75 percent of the vote in both 2022 and 2024. Republicans won five of Kentucky's six U.S. House seats in 2024. Donald Trump carried Kentucky in the 2024 presidential election with about 64 percent of the vote.

The voter-registration deadline was Monday, Oct. 5, with online registration accepted until 4:00 p.m. local time and mail registration cards required to be postmarked by that date. The deadline to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 20, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Early voting runs Thursday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 31; hours vary by county. Election Day polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

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