2026 Midterms · U.S. House · Kentucky Safe
Kentucky — 5th District
Democratic
Ned Pillersdorf
Republican
Hal Rogers
Incumbent
Kentucky's 5th Congressional District 2026 general election features 23-term Republican incumbent Hal Rogers facing Democratic nominee Ned Pillersdorf, a long-time legal aid attorney. The race hinges on opposing economic visions for Eastern Kentucky: Rogers highlights his senior role on the House Appropriations Committee and his support for Donald Trump's conservative agenda, while Pillersdorf focuses his campaign on resisting Republican cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and safety net programs. Major election handicappers, including The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball, rate the district as Solid/Safe Republican.
Taxation & Economy
medium saliencePillersdorf opposes tax cuts that benefit high earners at the expense of social programs, whereas Rogers signed a pledge against tax increases and supports tax simplification that rewards economic success.
Ned Pillersdorf
Opposes tax cuts for billionaires
Pillersdorf opposes tax policy changes that lower tax liabilities for corporations and high earners, arguing that such cuts increase the federal debt and endanger vital social programs.
- Opposes deficit-busting tax breaks for the wealthy class.
- Advocates prioritizing economic support for impoverished and working-class families in Appalachia.
“...all so the billionaire class can get a deficit busting tax break – I don’t expect to persuade you to support my candidacy.”
Hal Rogers
Supports tax simplification and growth
Rogers supports reforming the U.S. tax code to make it simpler and fairer without penalizing financial success. He has signed formal commitments against raising taxes.
- Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge with Americans for Tax Reform.
- Voted for tax policy provisions in H.R. 1 (2025).
- Supports simplifying the tax code while maintaining incentives for hard work and innovation.
“There is no question that our current tax system is incredibly complicated and in need of simplification. I support efforts to reform our tax code so that it is easier to understand and comply with the law. At the same time, I believe any reform of the tax code must be fair and should not punish success achieved through hard work and innovation.”
Voting Rights & Election Administration
medium saliencePillersdorf supports structural representation reform via uncapping the House, while Rogers voted for strict federal voter proof-of-citizenship requirements and objected to 2020 election certification.
Ned Pillersdorf
Supports uncapping the House
Pillersdorf advocates institutional reform of Congress by supporting the expansion of the House of Representatives to increase legislative representation.
- Supports Uncapping the House to increase legislative seats and grassroots representation.
“I support Uncapping the House.”
Hal Rogers
Supports voter ID and challenged certification
Rogers supports strict voter verification laws for federal elections and voted to object to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results in key states.
- Voted Yea on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
- Voted against certifying the 2020 electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania on January 6-7, 2021.
Immigration & Border Security
medium salienceHal Rogers
Supports strict border enforcement legislation
Rogers consistently votes for conservative immigration enforcement measures, including expanded detention mandates, mandatory employment eligibility verification, and state authority to enforce federal law.
- Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) mandating DHS detention of undocumented immigrants arrested for theft crimes.
- Voted Yea on H.R. 875 making driving under the influence grounds for deportation.
- Voted Yea on the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2).
Energy & Environment
medium salienceHal Rogers
Supports domestic fossil fuel expansion
Rogers advocates boosting domestic oil, natural gas, and coal production to achieve American energy independence and strengthen the local Eastern Kentucky economy.
- Voted Yea on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1 in 118th Congress) to expand fossil fuel production and streamline permitting.
- Voted Yea to repeal certain green energy tax credits in the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023.
- Supports President Trump's energy agenda to foster local job growth.
“...executing President Trump’s America First agenda to create more jobs here at home and strengthen our energy independence...”
Social Safety Net & Federal Spending
high saliencePillersdorf strongly opposes proposed cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and food assistance, while Rogers voted for federal reconciliation legislation and expanded work requirements for welfare programs.
Ned Pillersdorf
Opposes federal safety net cuts
Pillersdorf bases his campaign on protecting low-income Appalachian residents from federal funding cuts. He strongly criticizes proposals to reduce funding for safety net programs to finance tax cuts for higher earners.
Hal Rogers
Supports conservative fiscal reconciliation bills
Rogers leverages his position on the House Appropriations Committee to direct federal investments to Eastern Kentucky while supporting major Republican spending restriction bills. He voted for federal reconciliation measures that adjust funding for federal programs and enforce work requirements.