--- title: "Pillersdorf vs. Rogers: 2026 Kentucky’s 5th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ky-05" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Kentucky’s 5th District race: Ned Pillersdorf (D) vs. Hal Rogers (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 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. ## Candidates - **Ned Pillersdorf** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://nedforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ned_Pillersdorf) - **Hal Rogers** (Republican, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://congressmanhalrogers.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Hal_Rogers) ## Issues ### Social Safety Net & Federal Spending Salience: high Pillersdorf 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. - Opposes reductions to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP (food stamps), and low-income utility assistance. - Opposes defunding public television, public radio, Job Corps, and cancer research. - Denounces Rogers' vote for H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) as detrimental to the district. > “To be clear, if you support the ongoing proposed slashing of: Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, funds to help low income folks pay their utilities, and the defunding of public television, public radio, job corp, cancer research, etc – all so the billionaire class can get a deficit busting tax break – I don’t expect to persuade you to support my candidacy.” > — Ned Pillersdorf, via [Campaign site](https://nedforcongress.com/) > “Rogers is enthusiastically supporting the unprecedented assault on our safety net- taking us ten steps back, over the cliff. His deciding vote for the Big Beautiful Bill is a shameful betrayal of the needs of our district.” > — Ned Pillersdorf, via [Campaign site](https://nedforcongress.com/) **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. - Voted Yea on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1 reconciliation bill in 2025). - Voted Yea on the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, expanding work requirements for SNAP and TANF. - Voted Yea on the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 capping non-defense discretionary spending. > “I’m honored to have the loyal confidence of Southern and Eastern Kentuckians to continue the fight for conservative values on Capitol Hill, securing their seat at the House Appropriations table...” > — Hal Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://congressmanhalrogers.com) ### Taxation & Economy Salience: medium Pillersdorf 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.” > — Ned Pillersdorf, via [Campaign site](https://nedforcongress.com/) **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.” > — Hal Rogers, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Hal_Rogers) ### Voting Rights & Election Administration Salience: medium Pillersdorf 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.” > — Ned Pillersdorf, via [Campaign site](https://nedforcongress.com/) **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 Salience: medium **Ned Pillersdorf:** No documented position in our sources **Hal 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 Salience: medium **Ned Pillersdorf:** No documented position in our sources **Hal 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...” > — Hal Rogers, via [Campaign site](https://congressmanhalrogers.com) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ky-05-house-election-winner) — KY-05 House Election Winner: Republicans 97.3%, Democrats 2.2% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-KY05-26) — KY-05 House winner?: Hal Rogers 98.8%, Ned Pillersdorf 1.3% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ky-05)