James
R. Comer
Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. James R. Comer represents Kentucky's 1st Congressional District and is seeking re-election in 2026.
- sources
- 18
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 6
Background
James R. Comer Jr. is the Republican U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District, first elected to Congress on November 8, 2016, and currently serving in the 119th Congress (2025–2027). 2/)4 He was raised in Monroe County, Kentucky, graduated from Monroe County High School in Tompkinsville in 1990, and earned a B.S. from Western Kentucky University in 1993. 4
Before his congressional career, Comer served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012 and as Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture from 2012 to 2015. 2/)4 His background prior to elected office includes farming and business, with operations based in Monroe County. 12/)
Comer is listed as the Republican candidate for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, making him the incumbent seeking re-election. 5
At a glance
- Party
- Republican · Incumbent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Kentucky
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District
- Website
- jamescomer.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Voting record
How James R. Comer voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.
- roll call votes
- 1,909
- missed
- 1.7%
- with their party’s majority
- 94%
Recent key votes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobsRetire through Ownership ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energyWater Resources Development ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energyRatepayer Protection ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safetyPROOF ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safetyNational Fraud Enforcement Division ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budgetTax Relief for Fraud Victims ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →
Timeline
- Oct 11pollForecast rates Comer as overwhelming favorite in KY-01, no current polling available
An October 11 forecast update rated Comer as heavily favored in the November 3 general election against Democrat Drew Williams, but explicitly noted it had no current poll-based average and relied on non-polling evidence.
KY-01: Comer >99 in 100 — Call the Map · Sep 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsComer did not respond to Courier Journal deadline for 2026 candidate profile
The Courier Journal reported on October 8 that Comer did not respond by its deadline for a candidate profile as part of its coverage of Kentucky's 2026 congressional candidates.
Who's running for Congress in KY? Meet candidates in 2026 election · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3endorsementKentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams endorses Comer for 2027 governor's race
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams endorsed Comer for governor at the Fancy Farm picnic, according to a Courier Journal report dated October 7. The endorsement was in the context of the 2027 governor's race, not Comer's House reelection campaign.
GOP secretary of state race draws new name, as another touts fundraising · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26newsRace analysis finds no 2026 polls published for KY-01; Williams faces long odds
A September 26 analysis noted that no 2026 polls had been published for Kentucky's 1st District and assessed that Democrat Drew Williams faced significant challenges in defeating incumbent Comer.
What It Would Take for Drew Williams to Win KY-01 in 2026 · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21newsKentucky Freedom Fest event featuring Comer canceled due to low ticket sales
A Kentucky event billed as Freedom Fest and featuring Comer was canceled on September 21, according to reports published September 22. The cancellation was attributed to the organizer and was not directly tied to Comer's House campaign.
MAGA Festival Canceled Last-Minute as Dismal VIP ... - Yahoo · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17newsComer announces he will not seek another term as House Oversight Committee chair
WKYT reported, citing the Kentucky Lantern and a spokesperson, that Comer would not seek another term as chair of the House Oversight Committee and would not seek a waiver to continue in the role. Comer remained a candidate for reelection to Congress.
Rep. Comer not seeking another term as House Oversight ... · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 11newsComer's H.R. 1276 supporting Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club signed into law
Comer's congressional office announced that his legislation, H.R. 1276, supporting the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club had been signed into law. The announcement was issued by his official House office.
Press Releases · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Huck PAC organizationListed as an endorsement on Comer's iVoterGuide profile for the 2026 general election. No endorsement date is given. ivoterguide.com
- Campaign for Working Families organizationListed as an endorsement on Comer's iVoterGuide profile for the 2026 general election. No endorsement date is given. ivoterguide.com
- National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organizationListed as an endorsement on Comer's iVoterGuide profile for the 2026 general election. No endorsement date is given. ivoterguide.com
- Kentucky Right to Life Association organizationListed as an endorsement on Comer's iVoterGuide profile for the 2026 general election. No endorsement date is given. ivoterguide.com
- Citizens United Political Victory Fund organizationListed as an endorsement on Comer's iVoterGuide profile for the 2026 general election. No endorsement date is given. ivoterguide.com
- Donald Trump officialTrump posted: "James Comer has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election," urging voters to support Comer in the Republican primary. trumpstruth.org · May 18, 2026
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. House KY-01 · R | Won | 184,157 | 74.9% |
| 2020 | U.S. House KY-01 · R | Won | 246,329 | 75.0% |
| 2018 | U.S. House KY-01 · R | Won | 172,167 | 68.6% |
| 2016 | U.S. House KY-01 - FULL TERM · R | Won | 216,959 | 72.6% |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.90M
- Spent
- $2.07M
- Cash on hand
- $3.04M
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6KY01110(opens in a new tab)
Sources 18
- [1] Education and Workforce(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Healthcare(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] iVoterGuide - James R. Comer Jr. iVoterGuide Profile(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Second Amendment(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] Small Business and Economy(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [6] Press Releases(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [7] Who's running for Congress in KY? Meet candidates in 2026 election(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [8] GOP secretary of state race draws new name, as another touts fundraising(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [9] Transportation | Congressman James Comer(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [10] What It Would Take for Drew Williams to Win KY-01 in 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [11] MAGA Festival Canceled Last-Minute as Dismal VIP ... - Yahoo(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [12] Rep. Comer not seeking another term as House Oversight ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [13] KY-01: Comer >99 in 100 — Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
- [14] Donald J. Trump: "Congressman James Comer is a fantastic ...(opens in a new tab) May 18, 2026
- [15] Issues(opens in a new tab) Mar 15, 2026
- [16] Comer Releases Report on the Biden Administration's Detrimental ...(opens in a new tab) May 23, 2024
- [17] Comer: Ban American Imports of Russian Oil | Press Releases(opens in a new tab) Mar 7, 2022
- [18] Comer, House GOP questions ballot security after errors lead to ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 23, 2020