Pete
Lynch
Pete Lynch is a Kentucky Party challenger running for U.S. House in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 6
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Pete Lynch is a Kentucky Party candidate for U.S. Representative in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. He filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State on April 29, 2026; his campaign describes his run as independent with the support of the Kentucky Party. 1713
Lynch holds a Ph.D. in American Politics from the University of Kentucky (2022) and a BA in economics from Tufts University. After completing his doctorate, he taught at Centre College for two years and Eastern Kentucky University for one year before returning to UK in 2025 as a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and its Law and Justice program. 1011
Lynch is not the incumbent; the seat was previously held by Andy Barr, who is not seeking re-election in 2026. No prior elected offices are identified in his university or campaign biographical materials. 1711
Key issues highlighted in his campaign include campaign finance reform and opposition to data centers in the Lexington area. 512
At a glance
- Party
- Kentucky Party
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 6, Kentucky
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Lecturer, University of Kentucky Department of Political Science
- Website
- petelynchforkentucky.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 12newsLynch describes Kentucky Party as filling gaps where Kentucky is unrepresented; hosts data-center forum with 50+ attendees
In a report on the Kentucky Party, Lynch described its platform as an effort to 'fill in the gaps where Kentucky is not being represented.' He said he had considered running as a Democrat and was 'on paper' more aligned with the left, but did not feel the party fully represented his beliefs. He also hosted a forum on data centers and artificial intelligence that drew more than 50 attendees. A Reuters report published the same day noted Lynch and other Kentucky Party candidates would not appear alongside major-party candidates in pre-election polling.
Kentucky Party candidates are on your ballot in 2026. So who are they? · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsLynch tells Courier Journal his top priority is passing AI Data Center Moratorium Act
In a Courier Journal candidate questionnaire, Lynch said his number one immediate priority is passing the AI Data Center Moratorium Act through the discharge petition process. He also cited support for a moratorium on data centers at federal, state, and local levels, Medicare for All, and higher taxes on billionaires as priorities. Candidate guides confirmed his placement on the November 3 general-election ballot as the Kentucky Party candidate.
Who's running for Congress in KY? Meet candidates in 2026 election · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4newsLynch appears at Scott County forum, says all KY-06 communities oppose data centers
Lynch appeared at a Scott County Public Library candidate forum focused on data centers and Flock surveillance cameras. He opposed data centers and stated it was 'very clear' to him that all communities across the Sixth District are against data centers in central Kentucky. Republican Ralph Alvarado and Democrat Zach Dembo did not attend but provided statements to WKYT.
Scott County candidates oppose data centers, split on ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsLynch participates in Frankfort data-center listening session, asks crowd to back outright ban
Pete Lynch participated in a Frankfort listening session on data centers and asked attendees to raise their hands if they supported an outright ban on data centers. News reports noted that numerous people raised their hands. Lynch also criticized Gov. Andy Beshear and the Republican-controlled legislature over their handling of data centers and related tax breaks.
Ky. congressional candidate: Kentuckians 'don't want data centers' - Hellbender Newsroom · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- The Kentucky Party organizationLynch's campaign states he is running as an independent with the support of The Kentucky Party. The Kentucky Secretary of State also lists his ballot party as the Kentucky Party. No separate endorsement announcement date was found in the available sources. petelynchforkentucky.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H6KY06242(opens in a new tab)
Sources 6
- [1] Kentucky Party candidates are on your ballot in 2026. So who are they?(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Policies - Dr. Pete Lynch for Kentucky(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Who's running for Congress in KY? Meet candidates in 2026 election(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] Scott County candidates oppose data centers, split on ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [5] Dr. Pete Lynch for Kentucky(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] Ky. congressional candidate: Kentuckians 'don't want data centers' - Hellbender Newsroom(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026