Kentucky's twenty-sixth state senate district is represented by Republican Senator Ernie Harris.

Kentucky state senators represent an average of 114,194 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 106,362 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Kentucky State Senate serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Kentucky legislators assume office the first day of January after their election.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve in the Kentucky State Senate a candidate must be:

• At least 30 years of age at the time of the election
• A citizen of Kentucky
• A resident in the state 6 years preceding the election
• A resident in the district for the last year

Salaries

Pensions

Legislative pensions in Kentucky are equal to 2.75% to 5% of the salary multiplied by the number of years served, while regular state pensions equal 1.1% to 2.5% of salary multiplied by years served. Starting in 2005, retiring legislators holding full-time jobs with the state could base their legislative pension on this higher salary, rather than their actual legislative salary.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The Governor must call for an election if the General Assembly is not in session. The Senate President must call for an election if lawmakers are in session. All nominating deadlines for special elections are 49 days before the election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Kentucky State Senate will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for May 19, 2020. The filing deadline is January 10, 2020.

2018

2014

Elections for the Kentucky State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 28, 2014. Incumbent Ernie Harris ran unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

2010

Elections for the office of Kentucky State Senate consisted of a primary election on May 18, 2010, and a general election on November 2, 2010. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 26, 2010. Ernie Harris (R) defeated John Black (D) in the general election and defeated Don Godfrey in the Republican primary. Black was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Kentucky State Senate, District 26, General Election, 2010

Kentucky State Senate, District 26 Republican Primary, 2010

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2014, candidates for Kentucky State Senate District 26 raised a total of $639,606. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $63,961 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Kentucky State Senate District 26