Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
13%
30.3%
Republican
Ryan Dotson
KY-06 Republican nominee?
$17.3K
MAY 20, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age53 years old (Nov 22, 1972)
GenderMale
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LocationKentucky
BackgroundPastor
EducationPhelps High School
Notable personal detailsDavid Ryan Dotson is an American pastor and politician who has served as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since January 2021, representing the 73rd House district. He filed with the FEC to run for U.S. House in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle, with an authorized committee named “Ryan Dotson for US Congress.” He previously served in the U.S. Army as an X-ray technician and later worked at the University of Kentucky’s Albert B. Chandler Hospital before relocating to Winchester, Kentucky.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgdotsonforky.comket.orgpolymarket.comthecandidate.comweku.orgkentucky.comkentuckylantern.comivoterguide.comtheedgebereaky.comelectionline.orgapnews.comdocquery.fec.govkypublicnotice.comsos.ky.govlegislature.ky.govryandotsonforuscongress.comwinchestersun.comopencampaign.compbs.orgwkms.orgkentuckycoal.comtimesleaderonline.comapps.legislature.ky.govyahoo.comrepbio.orgcommonwealthpolicycenter.orgkentoncountykyclerk.comwashingtonpost.comlatimes.comcbsnews.comseattletimes.comfoxnews.comsfchronicle.comballotready.orgbarr.house.govziplook.house.govdisclosures-clerk.house.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting government spending, opposing tax increases, and implementing budget reforms aligned with President Trump’s proposals; emphasizes running government like a business and protecting taxpayers. Advocates stopping tax hikes and cutting waste to grow the economy.
Healthcare
Supports tightening Medicaid eligibility and adding work requirements, and favors legislation to reshape Medicaid enrollment and eligibility. Emphasizes policies aimed at making Medicaid more sustainable and has been recognized by hospital groups for advancing hospital-friendly policies.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate advocates a strong enforcement-first approach to immigration and border policy, prioritizing expanded deportations, closing perceived loopholes, and fully funding border security infrastructure and operations. He supports giving federal agencies broader authority to remove people unlawfully present and backs construction of border infrastructure to control entry. His campaign messaging emphasizes strict removal of undocumented immigrants and alignment with a hardline deportation agenda.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate describes himself as a defender of the unborn, has earned a 100% rating from the Family Foundation of Kentucky, and has taken public, pro-life positions opposing abortion access.
Climate & Energy
The candidate has supported measures to preserve coal-fired power plants and emphasized coal as a reliable baseload energy source while expressing openness to renewables but stressing reliability concerns. Statements and legislative participation indicate preference for policies that protect fossil-fuel generation and grid reliability over rapid retirements of coal units.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate has expressed skepticism about “weapons of war” on the street and raised concerns about young people accessing semi‑automatic rifles, while also sponsoring state legislation (HB 749) that would expand official transfer/possession mechanisms for certain automatic or machine firearms. These positions show mixed signals on gun policy, supporting some restrictions in rhetoric but also sponsoring pro‑access legislation.
Polls
KY-06 Republican nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$552.5K
$414.4K
$276.3K
$138.1K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$552.5K
$208.2K
$344.3K
$21.5K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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