Col. Pamela D. Stevenson, a retired U.S. Air Force JAG officer and current Minority Floor Leader in the Kentucky House of Representatives, has officially entered the race to replace Senator Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate.
Her campaign announcement comes after McConnell, the longest-serving senator in Kentucky’s history, confirmed in February that he would not seek reelection in 2026.
A Historic Candidacy
Stevenson’s bid is poised to make history. If elected, she would become the first Black U.S. Senator from Kentucky and only the fourth Black woman to ever serve in the chamber. In a campaign video posted to X (formerly Twitter), she declared her commitment to “Duty. Honor. Kentucky.” and vowed to bring fresh leadership to Washington.
“I’m running for U.S. Senate to replace Mitch McConnell!” she announced on social media, making known her intent to combat what she calls the “recklessness” in Washington.
I’m running for US Senate to replace Mitch McConnell!
— Col. Pam Stevenson (@ColPamStevenson) March 31, 2025
Duty. Honor. Kentucky. #kysen #kentucky #stevensonforsenate pic.twitter.com/KZeunVZUBo
Who Is Col. Pamela Stevenson?
Stevenson is a well-respected figure in Kentucky politics and beyond. She served 27 years in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG), where she prosecuted violent crimes such as rape.
She retired with the rank of Colonel before pursuing a career in public service. She holds a law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and founded the Stevenson Law Center, which provides pro bono legal services to veterans, seniors, and working families.
In 2020, Stevenson was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, and in 2023, she became the first Black woman to serve as Minority Floor Leader in the GOP-controlled chamber. She is also an ordained minister, further deepening her ties to the community.
The Challenges of Running in a Republican Stronghold
While Stevenson’s candidacy is groundbreaking, Kentucky remains a deeply Republican state. The last time a Democrat won a U.S. Senate seat was in 1992. However, the state has elected a Democrat as governor—Andy Beshear—who won in both 2019 and 2023. Stevenson herself ran for state attorney general in 2023 but lost the race.
One of her key Republican challengers is former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who was defeated by Beshear in the most recent gubernatorial election. Stevenson’s ability to build a coalition of moderate and Democratic voters will be crucial in this high-stakes contest.
What’s Next?
Stevenson’s campaign is expected to focus on issues such as economic stability, healthcare access, and justice reform.
As she embarks on her journey to the U.S. Senate, political analysts will be watching closely to see how her message resonates in a state that has leaned Republican for decades.
With a historic opportunity before her, Stevenson’s campaign is set to be one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 election cycle.
