Who is running for Kentucky Senate District 36 in Kentucky in 2026?

Julie Raque Adams (R), Sarah Cole McIntosh (D)

When is the Kentucky 2026 general election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Kentucky › Races › Kentucky Senate District 36

Kentucky Senate District 36 — Kentucky 2026

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot (official Kentucky Secretary of State filings, as of October 30, 2026). Grades reflect each candidate's public record on life, family, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

See your ballot in two minutes

Enter your address to get every race and proposal you'll vote on, with every candidate graded.

Every race and proposal for your address, with every candidate graded A–F.

See this race on your own ballot — with your district and court races.
Build my ballot →
 Download the iPhone app

Candidates

AJulie Raque AdamsRepublican

Incumbent for State Senator District 36 (Republican).

LifeBFamilyAReligious libertyA2nd AmendmentBLimited gov’tAFiscalA

Incumbent senator (Republican). Grades rest on 2023–2026 floor votes, Kentucky Right to Life and NRA-PVF.

Life: Kentucky General Assembly floor votes: voted for HB 90 (2025, lists the medical care that is not an abortion under the ban: veto override). Recommended (not endorsed) by Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC for 2026.
Family: Kentucky General Assembly floor votes: voted for SB 150 (2023, bans gender-transition treatment for minors: passage and final passage and veto override); HB 495 (2025, no Medicaid money for gender transition: veto override).
Religious liberty: Kentucky General Assembly floor votes: voted for SB 19 (2025, moment of silence and released-time instruction in schools: passage and concurrence and veto override); HB 547 (2023, religious expression in public schools: passage); SB 60 (2025, state religious-freedom law: passage).
2nd Amendment: Kentucky General Assembly floor votes: voted for HB 357 (2024, Second Amendment Privacy Act: passage); HB 312 (2026, concealed carry at ages 18 to 20: passage); HB 78 (2026, liability shield for gun makers: passage). NRA-PVF 2026 grade B.
Limited gov’t: Kentucky General Assembly floor votes: voted for HB 4 (2025, bans DEI offices at public colleges: passage and veto override); HB 2 (2026, Medicaid work requirements: veto override); HB 2 (2024, school-choice constitutional amendment: passage); SB 7 (2023, ends payroll deduction of public-employee union dues: passage and veto override).
Fiscal: Kentucky General Assembly floor votes: voted for HB 1 (2023, income tax cut to 4.5% and 4%: passage); HB 2 (2026, Medicaid work requirements: veto override); HB 1 (2025, income tax cut to 3.5%: passage).

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Ballotpedia

DSarah Cole McIntoshDemocratic

Candidate for State Senator District 36 (Democrat).

LifeDFamilyDReligious libertyC2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tDFiscalD

Non-incumbent (Democrat). Grades rest on Moms Demand Action. 5 of six values have no candidate-specific evidence and use the Democrat default.

Life: No specific position found; Democrat; iVoterGuide rates Leans Liberal.
Family: No specific position found; Democrat; iVoterGuide rates Leans Liberal.
Religious liberty: No specific position found; Democrat; iVoterGuide rates Leans Liberal.
2nd Amendment: Named a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate (2026).
Limited gov’t: No specific position found; Democrat; iVoterGuide rates Leans Liberal.
Fiscal: No specific position found; Democrat; iVoterGuide rates Leans Liberal.

Sources: [1]

Ballotpedia

More Kentucky 2026 races