Who Is Running in Kentucky Congressional District 1st in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
James Comer
(Incumbent)Economy
HighJames Comer advocates for reducing federal debt and supports a Balanced Budget Amendment to control government spending, citing the burden on future generations. He supports efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse to ensure an efficient and transparent federal government. Comer also opposes federal job protections that he believes insulate the workforce from accountability and hinder the removal of poor-performing employees. Additionally, he supports attractive Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment offers to downsize agencies, aiming to save taxpayer money.
Immigration
HighJames Comer supports strict immigration enforcement and has stated that an "open-border agenda" was rejected. He launched an investigation into sanctuary cities, asserting their policies hinder federal law enforcement and compromise public safety by protecting individuals referred to as "criminal illegal aliens." Comer also probed reports of noncitizens found on Michigan voter rolls and jury pools. He believes lawmakers should consider cutting federal funding to cities that prioritize these individuals over citizen safety.
Healthcare
MediumJames Comer voted against the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) in 2025. This bill aimed to address drug prices through federal negotiation and manufacturer rebates, and to expand Medicare coverage. He also voted for H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.
Democratic Candidate
No Democratic candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | James Comer |
|---|---|
| Economy | James Comer advocates for reducing federal debt and supports a Balanced Budget Amendment to control government spending, citing the burden on future generations. He supports efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse to ensure an efficient and transparent federal government. Comer also opposes federal job protections that he believes insulate the workforce from accountability and hinder the removal of poor-performing employees. Additionally, he supports attractive Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment offers to downsize agencies, aiming to save taxpayer money. High |
| Immigration | James Comer supports strict immigration enforcement and has stated that an "open-border agenda" was rejected. He launched an investigation into sanctuary cities, asserting their policies hinder federal law enforcement and compromise public safety by protecting individuals referred to as "criminal illegal aliens." Comer also probed reports of noncitizens found on Michigan voter rolls and jury pools. He believes lawmakers should consider cutting federal funding to cities that prioritize these individuals over citizen safety. High |
| Healthcare | James Comer voted against the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) in 2025. This bill aimed to address drug prices through federal negotiation and manufacturer rebates, and to expand Medicare coverage. He also voted for H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act. Medium |
| Climate & Energy | James Comer opposes the Green New Deal, characterizing the Biden Administration's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund as a "green energy scam" that funnels taxpayer dollars to political allies, risks energy infrastructure, and increases utility costs. He voted "Yes" on the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act and the Don't Mess With My Home Appliances Act, both in February 2026. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | James Comer voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755). This bill proposed prohibiting governmental restrictions on the provision of and access to abortion services, and also aimed to prevent governments from issuing certain other abortion-related restrictions. His vote indicates opposition to federal measures that would protect abortion access. His stance remains anti-abortion. Low |
| Foreign Policy | Research pending more substantial sources. High |
| Education | James Comer has demonstrated an educational focus by introducing legislation such as the Bipartisan Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Child Nutrition Response Act, which became law. He also introduced a bill to protect access to school meals during school closures. Comer has supported federal grants for institutions like West Kentucky Community and Technical College and has been involved in oversight of federal education agencies. Medium |
| Gun Policy | James Comer has consistently voted against gun control legislation, citing that such measures would weaken Second Amendment rights and be ineffective at reducing gun violence. He believes proposals like criminalizing private gun transfers or creating a national registry infringe on constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens and create unnecessary barriers to gun ownership. He has an 87% lifetime score and a 94% session score from Heritage Action. High |
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