2026 Catholic Voter Guide

Kentucky

Where the candidates stand on the issues Pope Leo XIV has raised, in their own words and votes. Every position links to its source.

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov. 3
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Mail-in absentee voting requires an eligible excuse, with the application received 14 days before the election; Kentucky also offers excused and no-excuse in-person absentee (early) voting before Election Day. Official source ↗

How to use this guide. For each race, open an issue to see what Pope Leo XIV has taught and what each candidate has said or done, side by side. Where a candidate has served in office, we add their recorded votes on the same key bills for everyone in that chamber, linked to the official roll call. We summarize; we do not score or endorse. Candidates are listed alphabetically. Where we could not find a public position, we say so. Click any bracketed source to read it yourself. New to Catholic voting principles? Start with our national guide to Faithful Citizenship.
Kentucky · 2026

U.S. House, District 6

Open seat (Andy Barr running for U.S. Senate).

Download printable PDF ↓
Ralph Alvarado
Republican · Open seat
Physician; former Kentucky state senator (2015–2023) and Tennessee health commissioner.
Campaign website ↗
Zach Dembo
Democrat · Open seat
Navy veteran; former teacher and federal prosecutor.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Ralph Alvarado
No public position found.
Zach Dembo
Supports aiding Ukraine and Taiwan and “deescalating this War of Choice in Iran”; says Congress must have oversight before going to war.
[1] Dembo campaign: Stop Endless Wars
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Ralph Alvarado
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Zach Dembo
Wants AI child-safety safeguards, notice before workers are replaced by AI and an industry-funded retraining fund; says “I’ll fully support the PRO Act.”
[1] Dembo campaign: AI and data centers[2] Dembo campaign: Rebuild the American Dream
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Ralph Alvarado
Says he would work with Republicans and Democrats to fix health care, lower costs, “increase transparency, and give patients more control over their care”; no public position found on Medicaid or the 2025 reconciliation law.
[1] Alvarado campaign site
Record in office
Zach Dembo
Would reverse Medicaid cuts, restore and expand ACA tax credits, add a public option and set a minimum wage of at least $15 an hour.
[1] Dembo campaign: health care[2] Dembo campaign: Rebuild the American Dream
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Ralph Alvarado
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Zach Dembo
Supports a right to abortion in the first trimester, would vote to codify Roe v. Wade and protect IVF; backs universal pre-K and an expanded child tax credit.
[1] Dembo campaign: women’s health care
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Ralph Alvarado
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Zach Dembo
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Ralph Alvarado
At his campaign launch pledged to “stop the invasion at our southern border once and for all” and align with the “America First” agenda.
[1] Spectrum News: Alvarado launches congressional bid
Record in office
Zach Dembo
Supports enforcement against violent criminals and a secure border, but says ICE needs body cameras, unmasked agents and better training; backs a path to citizenship for long-term workers.
[1] Dembo campaign: immigration reform
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Ralph Alvarado
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Zach Dembo
No public position found.
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Ralph Alvarado
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Zach Dembo
Wants local input and environmental accountability in data center siting so Big Tech cannot pass energy costs or pollution onto communities.
[1] Dembo campaign: AI and data centers
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