List Of U.S. Senators From Kentucky
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United States senators The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and power ...
from
Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...
. The state's senators belong to Classes 2 and 3. Kentucky is currently represented in the
U.S. Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...
by Republicans
Mitch McConnell Addison Mitchell McConnell III (born February 20, 1942) is an American politician and retired attorney serving as the senior United States senator from Kentucky and the Senate minority leader since 2021. Currently in his seventh term, McConne ...
(serving since 1985) and
Rand Paul Randal Howard Paul (born January 7, 1963) is an American physician and politician serving as the junior U.S. senator from Kentucky since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he is a son of former three-time presidential candidate and 12 ...
(serving since 2011). Currently, on his seventh term in office, McConnell has been the Senate Republican
Leader Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets vi ...
since 2007, and is Kentucky's longest-serving senator.


List of senators

, - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Jun 1, 1792 –
Jun 18, 1792 , Kentucky elected its senators a couple of weeks after statehood. , rowspan=2 , 1 , rowspan=2 , rowspan=3 , 1 , Kentucky elected its senators a couple of weeks after statehood. , nowrap , Jun 1, 1792 –
Jun 18, 1792 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=7 , 1 , rowspan=7 align=left ,
John Brown John Brown most often refers to: *John Brown (abolitionist) (1800–1859), American who led an anti-slavery raid in Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859 John Brown or Johnny Brown may also refer to: Academia * John Brown (educator) (1763–1842), Ir ...
, rowspan=2 , Anti-
Admin. , rowspan=7 nowrap , Jun 18, 1792 –
Mar 3, 1805 , Elected in 1792. , rowspan=2 , Elected in 1792. , rowspan=2 nowrap , Jun 18, 1792 –
Mar 3, 1795 , rowspan=2 , Anti-
Admin. , rowspan=2 align=right ,
John Edwards ! rowspan=2 , 1 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1792. , rowspan=3 , 2 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=5 , Democratic-
Republican , , rowspan=3 , 2 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1794.Lost re-election. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1795 –
Mar 3, 1801 , rowspan=3 ,
Federalist The term ''federalist'' describes several political beliefs around the world. It may also refer to the concept of parties, whose members or supporters called themselves ''Federalists''. History Europe federation In Europe, proponents of de ...
, rowspan=3 align=right ,
Humphrey Marshall Humphrey Marshall may refer to: *Humphry Marshall (1722–1801), botanist *Humphrey Marshall (general) (1812–1872), Confederate general in the American Civil War *Humphrey Marshall (politician) Humphrey Marshall (1760 – July 3, 1841) wa ...
! rowspan=3 , 2 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1798.Lost re-election. , rowspan=3 , 3 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=6 , 3 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1800.Resigned to become
U.S. Attorney General The United States attorney general (AG) is the head of the United States Department of Justice, and is the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government of the United States. The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the p ...
. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1801 –
Aug 7, 1805 , rowspan=3 , Democratic-
Republican , rowspan=3 align=right ,
John Breckinridge ! rowspan=3 , 3 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=6 , 2 , rowspan=6 align=left ,
Buckner Thruston Buckner Thruston (February 9, 1763 – August 30, 1845) was an American lawyer, slaveowner and politician who served as United States Senator from Kentucky as well as in the Virginia House of Delegates and became a United States circuit judge of ...
, rowspan=6 , Democratic-
Republican , rowspan=6 nowrap , Mar 4, 1805 –
Dec 18, 1809 , rowspan=6 , Elected in 1804.Resigned to become judge of the
U.S. Circuit Court The United States circuit courts were the original intermediate level courts of the United States federal court system. They were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. They had trial court jurisdiction over civil suits of diversity jurisdic ...
. , rowspan=8 , 4 , rowspan=4 , - style="height:2em" ,   , nowrap , Aug 7, 1805 –
Nov 8, 1805 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , Elected to finish Breckinridge's term.Lost re-election and resigned because of participation in the Burr conspiracy. , nowrap , Nov 8, 1805 –
Nov 18, 1806 , , Democratic-
Republican , align=right ,
John Adair ! 4 , - style="height:2em" , Elected to finish Adair's term, despite not meeting the constitutional age minimum.Retired. , nowrap , Nov 19, 1806 –
Mar 3, 1807 , , Democratic-
Republican , align=right ,
Henry Clay Henry Clay Sr. (April 12, 1777June 29, 1852) was an American attorney and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He was the seventh House speaker as well as the ninth secretary of state, al ...
! 5 , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=5 , 4 , rowspan=5 , Elected in 1806.Retired. , rowspan=5 nowrap , Mar 4, 1807 –
Mar 3, 1813 , rowspan=5 , Democratic-
Republican , rowspan=5 align=right ,
John Pope ! rowspan=5 , 6 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Dec 18, 1809 –
Jan 10, 1810 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! 3 , align=left ,
Henry Clay Henry Clay Sr. (April 12, 1777June 29, 1852) was an American attorney and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He was the seventh House speaker as well as the ninth secretary of state, al ...
, , Democratic-
Republican , nowrap , Jan 10, 1810 –
Mar 3, 1811 , Appointed to finish Thruston's term.Retired. , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=2 , 4 , rowspan=2 align=left ,
George Bibb George Mortimer Bibb (October 30, 1776 – April 14, 1859) was an American lawyer and politician and the seventeenth United States Secretary of the Treasury. He was chief justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals and twice represented Kentucky as ...
, rowspan=2 , Democratic-
Republican , rowspan=2 nowrap , Mar 4, 1811 –
Aug 23, 1814 , rowspan=2 , Elected in 1811.Resigned to return to private practice. , rowspan=10 , 5 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=6 , rowspan=10 , 5 , rowspan=4 , Elected in 1813.Resigned. , rowspan=4 nowrap , Mar 4, 1813 –
Dec 24, 1814 , rowspan=4 ,
Democratic-Republican The Democratic-Republican Party, known at the time as the Republican Party and also referred to as the Jeffersonian Republican Party among other names, was an American political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the early ...
, rowspan=4 align=right ,
Jesse Bledsoe Jesse Bledsoe (April 6, 1776June 25, 1836) was a slave owner and Senator from Kentucky. Life and career Bledsoe was born in Culpeper County, Virginia in 1776. When he was very young, his family migrated with a Baptist congregation through Cumber ...
! rowspan=4 , 7 , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Aug 23, 1814 –
Aug 30, 1814 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! 5 , align=left , George Walker , , Democratic-
Republican , nowrap , Aug 30, 1814 –
Feb 2, 1815 , Appointed to continue Bibb's term.Successor qualified. , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=4 , 6 , rowspan=4 align=left ,
William Barry , rowspan=4 , Democratic-
Republican , rowspan=4 nowrap , Feb 2, 1815 –
May 1, 1816 , rowspan=4 , Elected to finish Bibb's term.Resigned to become judge of the
Kentucky Circuit Court The Kentucky Circuit Courts are the state courts of general jurisdiction in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Jurisdiction and bench The Circuit Courts are trial courts with original jurisdiction in cases involving capital offenses and other felonies; ...
. , - style="height:2em" ,   , nowrap , Dec 24, 1814 –
Feb 2, 1815 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=5 , Elected in 1815 to finish Bledsoe's term.Retired or lost re-election. , rowspan=5 nowrap , Feb 2, 1815 –
Mar 3, 1819 , rowspan=5 ,
Democratic-Republican The Democratic-Republican Party, known at the time as the Republican Party and also referred to as the Jeffersonian Republican Party among other names, was an American political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the early ...
, rowspan=5 align=right ,
Isham Talbot Isham Talbot (1773September 25, 1837) was a United States Senator from Kentucky. Born in Bedford County, Virginia, Isham Talbot Jr. moved with his parents, Isham and Elizabeth (Davis) Talbot, to Harrodsburg, Kentucky in about 1784. He was admi ...
! rowspan=5 , 8 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , May 1, 1816 –
Nov 3, 1816 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! 7 , align=left ,
Martin Hardin , ,
Democratic-Republican The Democratic-Republican Party, known at the time as the Republican Party and also referred to as the Jeffersonian Republican Party among other names, was an American political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the early ...
, nowrap , Nov 3, 1816 –
Mar 3, 1817 , Appointed to continue Barry's term. Elected in 1816 to finish Barry's termRetired. , - style="height:2em" ! 8 , align=left ,
John J. Crittenden , , Democratic-
Republican , nowrap , Mar 4, 1817 –
Mar 3, 1819 , Elected in 1816.Resigned to return to private practice. , rowspan=6 , 6 , , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Mar 3, 1819 –
Dec 10, 1819 ,   , rowspan=4 , rowspan=6 , 6 , rowspan=2 , Elected in 1818.Resigned to run for governor. , rowspan=2 nowrap , Mar 4, 1819 –
May 28, 1820 , rowspan=2 ,
Democratic-Republican The Democratic-Republican Party, known at the time as the Republican Party and also referred to as the Jeffersonian Republican Party among other names, was an American political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the early ...
, rowspan=2 align=right ,
William Logan ! rowspan=2 , 9 , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=7 , 9 , rowspan=7 align=left ,
Richard Mentor Johnson , rowspan=5 , Democratic-
Republican , rowspan=7 nowrap , Dec 10, 1819 –
Mar 3, 1829 , rowspan=4 , Elected to finish Logan's term. , - style="height:2em" ,   , nowrap , May 28, 1820 –
Oct 19, 1820 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Elected to finish Logan's term.Retired or lost re-election. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Oct 19, 1820–
Mar 3, 1825 , rowspan=3 ,
Democratic-Republican The Democratic-Republican Party, known at the time as the Republican Party and also referred to as the Jeffersonian Republican Party among other names, was an American political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the early ...
, rowspan=3 align=right ,
Isham Talbot Isham Talbot (1773September 25, 1837) was a United States Senator from Kentucky. Born in Bedford County, Virginia, Isham Talbot Jr. moved with his parents, Isham and Elizabeth (Davis) Talbot, to Harrodsburg, Kentucky in about 1784. He was admi ...
! rowspan=3 , 10 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1823.Lost re-election. , rowspan=3 , 7 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=2 , Jacksonian , , rowspan=3 , 7 , rowspan=3 , Election year unknown.Retired or lost re-election. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1825 –
Mar 3, 1831 , rowspan=3 , Jacksonian , rowspan=3 align=right ,
John Rowan John Rowan may refer to: * John Rowan (American football) (1896–1967) * John Rowan (footballer) (1890-1963), Scottish footballer * John Rowan (high sheriff) (1778–1855), Irish high sheriff and militia officer *John Rowan (Kentucky politicia ...
! rowspan=3 , 11 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=4 , 10 , rowspan=4 align=left ,
George Bibb George Mortimer Bibb (October 30, 1776 – April 14, 1859) was an American lawyer and politician and the seventeenth United States Secretary of the Treasury. He was chief justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals and twice represented Kentucky as ...
, rowspan=4 , Jacksonian , rowspan=4 nowrap , Mar 4, 1829 –
Mar 3, 1835 , rowspan=4 , Elected in 1829.Retired or lost re-election. , rowspan=4 , 8 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=2 , rowspan=4 , 8 ,   , nowrap , Mar 4, 1831 –
Nov 10, 1831 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Elected late in 1831. , rowspan=6 nowrap , Nov 10, 1831 –
Mar 31, 1842 , rowspan=3 , National
Republican , rowspan=6 align=right ,
Henry Clay Henry Clay Sr. (April 12, 1777June 29, 1852) was an American attorney and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He was the seventh House speaker as well as the ninth secretary of state, al ...
! rowspan=6 , 12 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=3 , 11 , rowspan=3 align=left ,
John J. Crittenden , , National
Republican , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1835 –
Mar 3, 1841 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1835.Retired. , rowspan=3 , 9 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=2 , Whig , , rowspan=4 , 9 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1836.Resigned. , rowspan=3 , Whig , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=4 , 12 , rowspan=4 align=left ,
James T. Morehead , rowspan=4 , Whig , rowspan=4 nowrap , Mar 4, 1841 –
Mar 3, 1847 , rowspan=4 , Elected in 1841.Retired or lost re-election. , rowspan=4 , 10 , rowspan=2 , - style="height:2em" , Elected to finish Clay's term. , rowspan=4 nowrap , Mar 31, 1842 –
Jun 12, 1848 , rowspan=4 , Whig , rowspan=4 align=right ,
John J. Crittenden ! rowspan=4 , 13 , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=5 , 10 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1843.Resigned to become
Governor of Kentucky The governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of government of Kentucky. Sixty-two men and one woman have served as governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-el ...
. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=8 , 13 , rowspan=8 align=left ,
Joseph R. Underwood Joseph Rogers Underwood (October 24, 1791 – August 23, 1876) was a lawyer, judge, United States Representative and Senator from Kentucky. Early and family life Joseph Underwood was born in Goochland County, Virginia to John Underwood, ...
, rowspan=8 , Whig , rowspan=8 nowrap , Mar 4, 1847 –
Mar 3, 1853 , rowspan=8 , Election year unknown.Retired. , rowspan=8 , 11 , rowspan=3 , - style="height:2em" ,   , nowrap , Jun 12, 1848 –
Jun 23, 1848 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , Appointed to continue Crittenden's term. Elected in 1849 to finish Crittenden's term.Retired or lost re-election. , nowrap , Jun 23, 1848 –
Mar 3, 1849 , , Whig , align=right ,
Thomas Metcalfe ! 14 , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=6 , 11 , rowspan=2 , Elected in 1849.Resigned effective Sep 6, 1852, but died Jun 24, 1852. , rowspan=2 nowrap , Mar 4, 1849 –
Jun 24, 1852 , rowspan=2 , Whig , rowspan=2 align=right ,
Henry Clay Henry Clay Sr. (April 12, 1777June 29, 1852) was an American attorney and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He was the seventh House speaker as well as the ninth secretary of state, al ...
! rowspan=2 , 15 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=4 , - style="height:2em" ,   , nowrap , Jun 24, 1852 –
Jul 6, 1852 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , Appointed to continue Clay's term.Lost election to finish Clay's term. , nowrap , Jul 6, 1852 –
Aug 31, 1852 , , Democratic , align=right ,
David Meriwether ! 16 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=2 , Elected in 1851 to finish Clay's term, in anticipation of Clay's resignation.Retired. , rowspan=2 nowrap , Sep 1, 1852 –
Mar 3, 1855 , rowspan=2 , Whig , rowspan=2 align=right ,
Archibald Dixon Archibald Dixon (April 2, 1802 – April 23, 1876) was a U.S. Senator from Kentucky. He represented the Whig Party in both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly, and was elected the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky in 1844, serving unde ...
! rowspan=2 , 17 , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=3 , 14 , rowspan=3 align=left ,
John B. Thompson , rowspan=3 ,
Know Nothing The Know Nothing party was a nativist political party and movement in the United States in the mid-1850s. The party was officially known as the "Native American Party" prior to 1855 and thereafter, it was simply known as the "American Party". ...
, rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1853 –
Mar 3, 1859 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1851, far in advance of the term.Retired or lost re-election. , rowspan=3 , 12 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 12 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1854.Retired. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1855–
Mar 3, 1861 , , Whig , rowspan=3 align=right ,
John J. Crittenden ! rowspan=3 , 18 , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=2 ,
Know Nothing The Know Nothing party was a nativist political party and movement in the United States in the mid-1850s. The party was officially known as the "Native American Party" prior to 1855 and thereafter, it was simply known as the "American Party". ...
, - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=5 , 15 , rowspan=5 align=left ,
Lazarus W. Powell Lazarus Whitehead Powell (October 6, 1812 – July 3, 1867) was the 19th Governor of Kentucky, serving from 1851 to 1855. He was later elected to represent Kentucky in the U.S. Senate from 1859 to 1865. The reforms enacted during Powell's term ...
, rowspan=5 , Democratic , rowspan=5 nowrap , Mar 4, 1859 –
Mar 3, 1865 , rowspan=5 , Elected in 1858.Retired to run for U.S. President. , rowspan=5 , 13 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , rowspan=5 , 13 , Elected in 1859, far in advance of the term.Expelled for supporting the Confederacy. , nowrap , Mar 4, 1861 –
Dec 4, 1861 , , Democratic , align=right ,
John C. Breckinridge John Cabell Breckinridge (January 16, 1821 – May 17, 1875) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier. He represented Kentucky in both houses of Congress and became the 14th and youngest-ever vice president of the United States. Serving ...
! 19 , - style="height:2em" ,   , nowrap , Dec 4, 1861 –
Dec 10, 1861 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Elected to finish Breckinridge's term. , rowspan=8 nowrap , Dec 10, 1861 –
Sep 22, 1872 , rowspan=3 , Unionist , rowspan=8 align=right ,
Garrett Davis Garrett Davis (September 10, 1801 – September 22, 1872) was a U.S. Senator and Representative from Kentucky. Early life Born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, Garrett Davis was the brother of Amos Davis. After completing preparatory studies, Davis ...
! rowspan=8 , 20 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=2 , 16 , rowspan=2 align=left ,
James Guthrie , rowspan=2 , Democratic , rowspan=2 nowrap , Mar 4, 1865 –
Feb 7, 1868 , rowspan=2 , Elected in 1865.Resigned due to ill health. , rowspan=5 , 14 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , rowspan=7 , 14 , rowspan=5 , Re-elected in 1867.Died. , rowspan=5 , Democratic , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Feb 7, 1868 –
Feb 19, 1868 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=2 , 17 , rowspan=2 align=left ,
Thomas C. McCreery Thomas Clay McCreery (December 12, 1816July 10, 1890) was a Democratic Party (United States), Democratic United States Senate, U.S. Senator from Kentucky. Born at Yelvington, Kentucky, McCreery graduated from Centre College, in Danville, Kentu ...
, rowspan=2 , Democratic , rowspan=2 nowrap , Feb 19, 1868 –
Mar 3, 1871 , rowspan=2 , Elected to finish Guthrie's term.Lost re-election. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=5 , 18 , rowspan=5 align=left ,
John W. Stevenson , rowspan=5 , Democratic , rowspan=5 nowrap , Mar 4, 1871 –
Mar 3, 1877 , rowspan=5 , Elected in 1871.Retired. , rowspan=5 , 15 , rowspan=3 , - style="height:2em" ,   , nowrap , Sep 22, 1872 –
Sep 27, 1872 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , Appointed to continue Davis's term. Elected in 1873 to finish Davis's term.Retired or lost re-election. , nowrap , Sep 27, 1872 –
Mar 3, 1873 , , Democratic , align=right ,
Willis Machen ! 21 , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 15 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1872.Retired. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1873 –
Mar 3, 1879 , rowspan=3 , Democratic , rowspan=3 align=right ,
Thomas C. McCreery Thomas Clay McCreery (December 12, 1816July 10, 1890) was a Democratic Party (United States), Democratic United States Senate, U.S. Senator from Kentucky. Born at Yelvington, Kentucky, McCreery graduated from Centre College, in Danville, Kentu ...
! rowspan=3 , 22 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=7 , 19 , rowspan=7 align=left ,
James B. Beck , rowspan=7 , Democratic , rowspan=7 nowrap , Mar 4, 1877 –
May 3, 1890 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1876. , rowspan=3 , 16 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 16 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1879.Lost re-election. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1879 –
Mar 3, 1885 , rowspan=3 , Democratic , rowspan=3 align=right ,
John Stuart Williams John Stuart Williams (July 10, 1818July 17, 1898) was a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, and a Reconstruction era of the United States, postbellum Democratic Party (United States), Democratic United States Se ...
! rowspan=3 , 23 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1882. , rowspan=3 , 17 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=5 , 17 , rowspan=5 , Elected in 1884. , rowspan=10 nowrap , Mar 4, 1885 –
Mar 3, 1897 , rowspan=10 , Democratic , rowspan=10 align=right ,
J. C. S. Blackburn ! rowspan=10 , 24 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , Re-elected in 1888.Died. , rowspan=7 , 18 , rowspan=3 , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , May 3, 1890 –
May 26, 1890 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=2 , 20 , rowspan=2 align=left ,
John Carlisle , rowspan=2 , Democratic , rowspan=2 nowrap , May 26, 1890 –
Feb 4, 1893 , rowspan=2 , Elected to finish Beck's term.Resigned. , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , rowspan=5 , 18 , rowspan=5 , Re-elected in 1890.Lost re-election. , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Feb 4, 1893 –
Feb 15, 1893 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=5 , 21 , rowspan=5 align=left ,
William Lindsay , rowspan=5 , Democratic , rowspan=5 nowrap , Feb 15, 1893 –
Mar 3, 1901 , rowspan=2 , Elected to finish Carlisle's term. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1894.Retired. , rowspan=3 , 19 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 19 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1897.Retired. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1897 –
Mar 3, 1903 , rowspan=3 , Republican , rowspan=3 align=right ,
William J. Deboe ! rowspan=3 , 25 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=3 , 22 , rowspan=3 align=left ,
Joseph Blackburn , rowspan=3 , Democratic , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1901 –
Mar 3, 1907 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1900.Lost re-election. , rowspan=3 , 20 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 20 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1902.Lost renomination. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1903 –
Mar 3, 1909 , rowspan=3 , Democratic , rowspan=3 align=right ,
James B. McCreary James Bennett McCreary (July 8, 1838 – October 8, 1918) was an American lawyer and politician from Kentucky. He represented the state in both houses of the U.S. Congress and served as its 27th and 37th governor. Shortly after graduating ...
! rowspan=3 , 26 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=3 , 23 , rowspan=3 align=left ,
Thomas H. Paynter Thomas Hanson Paynter (December 9, 1851March 8, 1921) was a United States Senator and Representative from Kentucky. Born on a farm near Vanceburg, Kentucky, Paynter attended the common schools, Rand's Academy, and Centre College. There he studi ...
, rowspan=3 , Democratic , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1907 –
Mar 3, 1913 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1906.Retired. , rowspan=3 , 21 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=5 , 21 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1908.Died. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1909 –
May 23, 1914 , rowspan=3 , Republican , rowspan=3 align=right ,
William O. Bradley William O'Connell Bradley (March 18, 1847May 23, 1914) was a politician from the U.S. state of Kentucky. He served as the List of governors of Kentucky, 32nd Governor of Kentucky and was later elected by the Kentucky General Assembly, state leg ...
! rowspan=3 , 27 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=5 , 24 , rowspan=5 align=left ,
Ollie Murray James Ollie Murray James (July 27, 1871August 28, 1918) was an American politician. A Democrat, he represented Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Biography James was born and raised in western Kentucky. ...
, rowspan=5 , Democratic , rowspan=5 nowrap , Mar 4, 1913 –
Aug 28, 1918 , rowspan=5 , Elected in 1912.Died. , rowspan=7 , 22 , rowspan=3 , - style="height:2em" ,   , nowrap , May 23, 1914 –
Jun 16, 1914 , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , - style="height:2em" , Appointed to continue Bradley's term. Elected in 1914 to finish Bradley's term.Retired. , nowrap , Jun 16, 1914 –
Mar 3, 1915 , , Democratic , align=right ,
Johnson N. Camden Jr. ! 28 , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=5 , 22 , rowspan=5 , Elected in 1914.Lost re-election. , rowspan=5 nowrap , Mar 4, 1915 –
Mar 3, 1921 , rowspan=5 , Democratic , rowspan=5 align=right ,
J. C. W. Beckham John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham (August 5, 1869 – January 9, 1940) was an American attorney serving as the List of governors of Kentucky, 35th Governor of Kentucky and a United States Senate, United States Senator from Kentucky. He was the s ...
! rowspan=5 , 29 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Aug 28, 1918 –
Sep 7, 1918 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! 25 , align=left ,
George B. Martin George Brown Martin (August 18, 1876November 12, 1945), a Democrat, served as a member of the United States Senate from Kentucky. Born in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, Martin moved with his parents to Catlettsburg, Kentucky, in 1877. He attended the ...
, , Democratic , nowrap , Sep 7, 1918 –
Mar 3, 1919 , Appointed to finish James's term.Retired. , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=3 , 26 , rowspan=3 align=left ,
Augustus Stanley , rowspan=3 , Democratic , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1919 –
Mar 3, 1925 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1918.Didn't take seat until May 19, 1919 in order to remain
Governor of Kentucky The governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of government of Kentucky. Sixty-two men and one woman have served as governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-el ...
.Lost re-election. , rowspan=3 , 23 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 23 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1920.Lost re-election. , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1921 –
Mar 3, 1927 , rowspan=3 , Republican , rowspan=3 align=right ,
Richard P. Ernst ! rowspan=3 , 30 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=3 , 27 , rowspan=3 align=left ,
Fred Sackett , rowspan=3 , Republican , rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1925 –
Jan 9, 1930 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1924.Resigned to become
U.S. Ambassador to Germany The United States has had diplomatic relations with the nation of Germany and its principal predecessor nation, the Kingdom of Prussia, since 1835. These relations were broken twice (1917 to 1921, and 1941 to 1955) while Germany and the United St ...
. , rowspan=6 , 24 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=6 , 24 , rowspan=6 , Elected in 1926. , rowspan=20 nowrap , Mar 4, 1927 –
Jan 19, 1949 , rowspan=20 , Democratic , rowspan=20 align=right ,
Alben W. Barkley Alben William Barkley (; November 24, 1877 – April 30, 1956) was an American lawyer and politician from Kentucky who served in both houses of Congress and as the 35th vice president of the United States from 1949 to 1953 under Presiden ...
! rowspan=20 , 31 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=4 , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Jan 9, 1930 –
Jan 11, 1930 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! 28 , align=left ,
John Robsion John Marshall Robsion (January 2, 1873February 17, 1948), a Republican, represented Kentucky in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Robsion was born in Berlin, Kentucky. He attended National Northern ...
, , Republican , nowrap , Jan 11, 1930 –
Nov 30, 1930 , Appointed to continue Sackett's term.Lost elections to finish Sackett's term and to next term. , - style="height:2em" ! 29 , align=left ,
Ben M. Williamson Ben Mitchell Williamson (October 16, 1864June 23, 1941) was a Democratic U.S. Senator from Kentucky. Born in Pike County, Kentucky, Williamson attended the rural schools of Kentucky and Bethany College in West Virginia. He engaged in the who ...
, , Democratic , nowrap , Dec 1, 1930 –
Mar 3, 1931 , Elected in 1930 to finish Sackett's term.Retired. , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=5 , 30 , rowspan=5 align=left ,
M. M. Logan , rowspan=5 , Democratic , rowspan=5 nowrap , Mar 4, 1931 –
Oct 3, 1939 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1930. , rowspan=3 , 25 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 25 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1932. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=2 , Re-elected in 1936.Died. , rowspan=5 , 26 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , rowspan=5 , 26 , rowspan=5 , Re-elected in 1938. , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Oct 3, 1939 –
Oct 10, 1939 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=4 , 31 , rowspan=4 align=left ,
Happy Chandler Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Sr. (July 14, 1898 – June 15, 1991) was an American politician from Kentucky. He represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate and served as its 44th and 49th governor. Aside from his political positions, he also se ...
, rowspan=4 , Democratic , rowspan=4 nowrap , Oct 10, 1939 –
Nov 1, 1945 , rowspan=2 , Appointed to continue Logan's term. Elected in 1940 to finish Logan's term. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=2 , Re-elected in 1942.Resigned to become Commissioner of Baseball. , rowspan=6 , 27 , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=4 , rowspan=8 , 27 , rowspan=6 , Re-elected in 1944.Resigned to become
U.S. Vice President The vice president of the United States (VPOTUS) is the second-highest officer in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government, after the president of the United States, and ranks first in the presidential line of succession. The vice pr ...
. , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Nov 1, 1945 –
Nov 19, 1945 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! 32 , align=left ,
William A. Stanfill William Abner Stanfill (January 16, 1892June 12, 1971) was briefly a member of the United States Senate from Kentucky. Stanfill attended Union College and received a law degree from the University of Kentucky in 1912. He practiced law in Barbour ...
, , Republican , nowrap , Nov 19, 1945 –
Nov 5, 1946 , Appointed to continue Chandler's term.Retired. , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=2 , 33 , rowspan=2 align=left ,
John Sherman Cooper , rowspan=2 , Republican , rowspan=2 nowrap , Nov 6, 1946 –
Jan 3, 1949 , rowspan=2 , Elected to finish Chandler's term.Lost re-election. , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=1 , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=4 , 34 , rowspan=4 align=left ,
Virgil Chapman Virgil Munday Chapman (March 15, 1895March 8, 1951) was an American attorney and Democratic politician who represented Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives and in the United States Senate. Chapman, originally from Middleton, ...
, rowspan=4 , Democratic , rowspan=4 nowrap , Jan 3, 1949 –
Mar 8, 1951 , rowspan=4 , Elected in 1948.Died. , rowspan=8 , 28 , rowspan=3 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=1 , Appointed to continue Barkley's term.Resigned to trigger special election. , rowspan=1 nowrap , Jan 20, 1949 –
Nov 26, 1950 , rowspan=1 , Democratic , rowspan=1 align=right ,
Garrett Withers Garrett Lee Withers (June 21, 1884 – April 30, 1953) was an American politician and lawyer. As a Democrat, he represented Kentucky in the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. Withers was born on a farm in Webster Co ...
! rowspan=1 , 32 , - style="height:2em" , Elected to finish Barkley's term, having been elected to the next term. , rowspan=10 nowrap , Nov 27, 1950 –
Jan 3, 1957 , rowspan=10 , Democratic , rowspan=10 align=right ,
Earle Clements Earle Chester Clements (October 22, 1896 – March 12, 1985) was an American farmer and politician. He represented the Commonwealth of Kentucky in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and was its 47th Governor, serving ...
! rowspan=10 , 33 , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=4 , rowspan=9 , 28 , rowspan=9 , Elected to full term in 1950.Lost re-election. , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Mar 8, 1951 –
Mar 19, 1951 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! 35 , align=left ,
Thomas R. Underwood Thomas Rust Underwood (March 3, 1898June 29, 1956) was an American politician who served Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives and in the United States Senate. Early life Thomas Rust Underwood was born in Hopkinsville, Kentu ...
, , Democratic , nowrap , Mar 19, 1951 –
Nov 4, 1952 , Appointed to continue Chapman's term.Lost election to finish Chapman's term. , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=2 , 36 , rowspan=2 align=left ,
John Sherman Cooper , rowspan=2 , Republican , rowspan=2 nowrap , Nov 5, 1952 –
Jan 3, 1955 , rowspan=2 , Elected to finish Chapman's term. Lost re-election. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! 37 , align=left ,
Alben W. Barkley Alben William Barkley (; November 24, 1877 – April 30, 1956) was an American lawyer and politician from Kentucky who served in both houses of Congress and as the 35th vice president of the United States from 1949 to 1953 under Presiden ...
, , Democratic , nowrap , Jan 3, 1955 –
Apr 30, 1956 , Elected in 1954.Died. , rowspan=6 , 29 , rowspan=4 , - style="height:2em" , colspan=3 , ''Vacant'' , nowrap , Apr 30, 1956 –
Jun 21, 1956 ,   , - style="height:2em" ! 38 , align=left ,
Robert Humphreys , , Democratic , nowrap , Jun 21, 1956 –
Nov 6, 1956 , Appointed to continue Barkley's term.Retired when elected successor qualified. , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=10 , 39 , rowspan=10 align=left ,
John Sherman Cooper , rowspan=10 , Republican , rowspan=10 nowrap , Nov 7, 1956 –
Jan 3, 1973 , rowspan=3 , Elected to finish Barkley's term. , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 29 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1956. , rowspan=6 nowrap , Jan 3, 1957 –
Dec 16, 1968 , rowspan=6 , Republican , rowspan=6 align=right ,
Thruston Morton ! rowspan=6 , 34 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1960. , rowspan=3 , 30 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=4 , 30 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1962.Retired, and resigned early to give successor preferential seniority. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=4 , Re-elected in 1966.Retired. , rowspan=4 , 31 , rowspan=2 , - style="height:2em" , Appointed to finish Morton's term, having already been elected to the next term. , rowspan=4 nowrap , Dec 17, 1968 –
Dec 27, 1974 , rowspan=4 , Republican , rowspan=4 align=right ,
Marlow Cook Marlow Webster Cook (July 27, 1926 – February 4, 2016) was an American politician who served Kentucky in the United States Senate from his appointment in December 1968 to his resignation in December 1974. He was a moderate Republican. He ...
! rowspan=4 , 35 , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=4 , 31 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1968.Lost re-election, and resigned early to give successor preferential seniority. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=7 , 40 , rowspan=7 align=left ,
Walter Dee Huddleston Walter Darlington "Dee" Huddleston (April 15, 1926 – October 16, 2018) was an American politician. He was a Democrat from Kentucky who represented the state in the United States Senate from 1973 until 1985. Huddleston lost his 1984 Senate re ...
, rowspan=7 , Democratic , rowspan=7 nowrap , Jan 3, 1973 –
Jan 3, 1985 , rowspan=4 , Elected in 1972. , rowspan=4 , 32 , rowspan=2 , - style="height:2em" , Appointed to finish Cook's term, having already been elected to the next term. , rowspan=13 nowrap , Dec 28, 1974 –
Jan 3, 1999 , rowspan=13 , Democratic , rowspan=13 align=right ,
Wendell Ford ! rowspan=13 , 36 , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 32 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1974. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1978.Lost re-election. , rowspan=3 , 33 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 33 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1980. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" ! rowspan=21 , 41 , rowspan=21 align=left ,
Mitch McConnell Addison Mitchell McConnell III (born February 20, 1942) is an American politician and retired attorney serving as the senior United States senator from Kentucky and the Senate minority leader since 2021. Currently in his seventh term, McConne ...
, rowspan=21 , Republican , rowspan=21 nowrap , Jan 3, 1985 –
Present , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1984. , rowspan=3 , 34 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 34 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1986. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1990. , rowspan=3 , 35 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 35 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1992.Retired. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 1996. , rowspan=3 , 36 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 36 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 1998. , rowspan=6 nowrap , Jan 3, 1999 –
Jan 3, 2011 , rowspan=6 , Republican , rowspan=6 align=right ,
Jim Bunning ! rowspan=6 , 37 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 2002. , rowspan=3 , 37 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 37 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 2004.Retired. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 2008. , rowspan=3 , 38 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 38 , rowspan=3 , Elected in 2010. , rowspan=9 nowrap , Jan 3, 2011 –
Present , rowspan=9 , Republican , rowspan=9 align=right ,
Rand Paul Randal Howard Paul (born January 7, 1963) is an American physician and politician serving as the junior U.S. senator from Kentucky since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he is a son of former three-time presidential candidate and 12 ...
! rowspan=9 , 38 , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 2014. , rowspan=3 , 39 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3 , 39 , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 2016. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=3 , Re-elected in 2020. , rowspan=3 , 40 , , - style="height:2em" , , rowspan=3, 40 , rowspan=3, Re-elected in 2022. , - style="height:2em" , , - style="height:2em" , rowspan=2 colspan=5 , To be determined in the 2026 election. , rowspan=2, 41 , , - style="height:2em" , , 41 , colspan=5 , To be determined in the 2028 election.


Living former senators

, there are no living former U.S. senators from Kentucky. The last living former senator and the most recent was
Walter Dee Huddleston Walter Darlington "Dee" Huddleston (April 15, 1926 – October 16, 2018) was an American politician. He was a Democrat from Kentucky who represented the state in the United States Senate from 1973 until 1985. Huddleston lost his 1984 Senate re ...
(served 1973–1985), who died October 16, 2018. The most recently serving senator was Jim Bunning (served 1999–2011), who died May 26, 2017.


Superlatives


Longest service


Shortest service


Youngest at beginning of service


Oldest at end of service


See also

* List of United States representatives from Kentucky *
United States congressional delegations from Kentucky Since Kentucky became a U.S. state in 1792, it has sent United States Congress, congressional delegations to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. Each state elects two senators to serve for six years, and members of ...
*
Elections in Kentucky Elections in the U.S. state of Kentucky are held regularly. Politics in Kentucky has historically been very competitive. The state leaned toward the Democratic Party during the 1860s after the Whig Party dissolved. During the Civil War, the sout ...


Notes


References

* * {{U.S. congressional delegations
United States Senators The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and power ...
Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...