(LEXINGTON, Ky.) — Retired Marine Lt. Col. Amy McGrath announced Monday she is running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky’s 2026 race, marking her third campaign for federal office in the state and setting up what could become one of the nation’s most closely watched contests.
The announcement comes as Kentucky prepares for its first open Senate seat in 16 years, creating what McGrath called a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for the state.
McGrath, 49, who made history as the first woman in the Marine Corps to fly a combat mission in an F/A-18 fighter jet, framed her candidacy around protecting democratic institutions and providing Kentuckians an alternative to what she described as Trump-aligned politics dominating Washington.
“Kentuckians deserve someone battle-tested and ready to fight for them on day one,” McGrath said in her announcement. “I’ve spent my life stepping up when the mission was tough and the stakes were high.”
A Political Veteran Returns
This marks McGrath’s third bid for federal office in Kentucky. She narrowly lost a 2018 House race in the state’s 6th Congressional District and ran unsuccessfully against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2020, despite raising a record-breaking $94 million for that campaign.
Between elections, McGrath founded Honor Bound, Inc., a nonprofit focused on leadership development for women with military and service backgrounds and encouraging them to seek elected office. She has also launched several pro-democracy organizations.
Campaign Themes
In her announcement, McGrath emphasized several key themes likely to define her campaign: pushback against what she termed authoritarian threats, accountability for Washington politicians, and kitchen-table economic issues affecting Kentucky families.
“I swore an oath to defend this country against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” McGrath said. “Running for Senate is an extension of that oath.”
She criticized incumbent politicians for failing to deliver on promises related to lowering costs, protecting healthcare, and supporting veterans, calling the current political climate “not normal” but “dangerous.”
Military Background
McGrath’s military credentials remain central to her political identity. During her 20-year Marine Corps career, she flew 89 combat missions against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, breaking barriers in a male-dominated field.
The Road Ahead
McGrath touted her previous campaigns’ grassroots infrastructure, claiming to have built “one of the strongest grassroots operations Kentucky has ever seen.”
“This time we’re poised to complete the mission,” she said.
The 2026 Senate race is expected to draw national attention and significant campaign spending, with control of the Senate potentially hanging in the balance. Kentucky has not had an open Senate seat since 2010, when Republican Rand Paul won his first term.
McGrath acknowledged that voters may not agree with her on every issue but promised transparency: “You’ll always know where I stand: on the side of Kentucky and democracy.”