Ned Pillersdorf
Candidate for Kentucky 5th Congressional District · Democrat
On the 2026 ballotChallenger · Kentucky 5th Congressional District · Nov 3 General
Ballot status source: Kentucky Secretary of State — Candidate Filings, 2026 General Election, list of all candidates: US Representative (KY-05) — 'Ned Pillersdorf', Democratic Party · read Sep 24, 2026
The District
What Kentucky 5th Congressional District covers
Covers all of Pike County, Pulaski County, Breathitt County, Clay County, Wayne County, Harlan County, Laurel County, Whitley County, Lawrence County, McCreary County, Leslie County, Floyd County, Morgan County, Knox County, Bell County and 14 more; parts of Lincoln County, Carter County, Rowan County and Bath County.
Includes Pikeville, Annville, Ashland, Burnside, Coal Run Village, Corbin, Elkhorn City, Hazard, Jenkins (part), London, Middlesborough, Monticello and 102 more.
720 precincts · District lines: Congressional lines: U.S. Census Bureau (1:500,000 cartographic boundary, 119th Congress) · Precinct lines: Kentucky State Board of Elections, SBE Voting Precinct Boundaries (, 2026)
Key Votes
The record
Current office: Poverty lawyer (45 years), Executive Director of The David School (Floyd County, KY); no elected office — votes/acts not compiled
Office per official source. Checked 2026-09-24.
Sep 24, 2026 · Self-published · Official source · source
Newest first. A close vote was decided by 5% of the votes cast or less (or 10 votes or fewer, under a fifth of the votes). Broke with party: voted against most of their party, where the record gives the party split.
Their Money
Campaign finance
- Last Change
- Profile updated · Sep 24
- Raised
- $182,281cycle to date through Jun 30
- Cash on Hand
- $91,275cycle to date through Jun 30
- Spent
- $91,006cycle to date through Jun 30
- Debts Owed
- $0cycle to date through Jun 30
- Next Report Due
- Q3 Report · Oct 15
View on FEC.govFEC, cycle to date through Jun 30, 2026
Top Payees
Who the campaign paid most, as its filing reports it.
- Lamar Advertising Co Of E Ky$29,378.00
- Mountain Top Media$23,840.00
- Wymt$9,596.00
- Wsip$9,000.00
- Chronical Creative Media Company Llc$6,925.00
Campaign finance — Ned For Congress: July Quarterly 2026, through Jun 30, 2026
Jun 30, 2026 · Official · Federal Election CommissionFinance Reports
Campaign finance — Ned For Congress: July Quarterly 2026, through Jun 30, 2026
Raised $182,280.69 this election cycle (as reported) · spent $91,006.19 · cash on hand $91,274.50 · debts owed by the committee $0.00 — through Jun 30, 2026. Where the money came from (cycle to date, as reported): Individuals $119,155.69 (65%); PACs and other political committees $250.00 (0%); Candidate contributions $62,875.00 (34%). Where it went (itemized operating expenditures this cycle, FEC-processed through Sep 20, 2026): media and advertising $72,064.00; other $10,863.24; staff, contractors and reimbursements $2,862.27; compliance and treasurer $522.58; fundraising $185.50; direct mail $37.37.
Jun 30, 2026 · Official · Federal Election Commission
Money shows as the filings named here report it. Payees are who the campaign paid; individual contributors are not shown.
Advertising
Who is advertising for and against Ned
Advertising summary — for and against (2026 cycle)
For: own campaign on Google $100–$700 (ad ranges); outside Google ads $0–$0; Snap $0; broadcast TV not searched; FEC independent expenditures $0. Against: outside Google ads $0–$0; opponent campaign ads $0–$0; Snap $0; broadcast TV not searched; FEC independent expenditures $0. 2026 cycle. Broadcast TV: not yet searched. Meta not included.
Sep 23, 2026 · Official · Ads summary (2026 cycle)Google/YouTube ads — Ned for Congress (supporting)
The candidate's own campaign (Ned for Congress). 6 ads since Nov 2024; $100–$700 (Google creative spend ranges).
Sep 23, 2026 · Official · Google Political Ads Transparency Report (bundle updated 2026-09-23 21:37 PT) · source
Spend as each platform or filing reports it. Each line is a separate measure, and they are not added together.
In Their Words
What they have said, on the record
“I truly fear for our vulnerable neighbors here in Appalachia. That is why I announced my candidacy on the 4th of July.”
“I'm running because, unlike the Republicans, I actually care about the less fortunate.”
“The Medicaid cuts will be catastrophic”
“It will absolutely decimate our rural poverty communities”
“We do not have an East Kentucky candidate, so I've urged all the candidates to come here and talk to the people. This election is very important. We are the poorest district in the country under the stewardship of Hal Rogers. Hal Rogers no longer makes public appearances and hasn't made one since August. He's driving us over the cliff. The big ugly bill will be catastrophic for Kentucky. We are projected here in our district to lose more hospitals than anywhere in the country. This is the greatest shift of wealth with the republicans in charge, from the wealthiest among us to the least of us. The bill guts the safety nets in countless ways. Why are they being so cruel and hard on the less fortunate?”
“My message to the senate candidates is, the Democratic primary may very well be decided here in the 5th Congressional District.”
Show all 8 statementsShow fewer
“One of the things that's been grossly under-reported and misunderstood is there's a really unfair perception that the Democrats can't win a Senate race in Kentucky. I think that's utter nonsense. If you've been paying attention to what's going on in this country in 2025 to 2026, a remarkable thing is happening. I'm absolutely convinced there's not only going to be a blue wave — there's going to be a blue tsunami wave.”
“I've invited the U.S. Senate candidates to be here today because I think it's important that Eastern Kentucky hear from them.”
In the News
Press coverage
- Karma – a TEACHER got Bevin! w/Ned PillarsdorfSep 11, 2026 · Press · ForwardKY (podcast)
- Meet Eastern Kentucky heroes Ned Pillersdorf and Janet StumboJul 31, 2026 · Press · WHAS Radio (Terry Meiners show)
- Candidates discuss economy and healthcareMay 13, 2026 · Press · Carter County Times
- Democratic U.S. Senate candidates address crowd in HazardFeb 4, 2026 · Press · Hazard Herald
Headlines link to the original reporting, captured on the date shown.
Reach Them
Websites and accounts
Campaign website capture
Campaign website https://nedforcongress.com/ captured 2026-09-24T21:08:26Z (1280x900 viewport, logged-out).
Sep 24, 2026 · Self-published · Campaign website · sourceCampaign website: https://nedforcongress.com/
Source: SOS filing and direct fetch
Sep 24, 2026 · Self-published · Campaign website · source
The 2026 Field
Who else is running for Kentucky 5th Congressional District
- Harold RogersRepublican · Incumbent · On the 2026 ballot
- Gerardo SerranoIndependent · On the 2026 ballot
- Mikel WeinIndependent · On the 2026 ballot
- Billy Ray WilsonIndependent · Write-in candidate
The Paper Trail
Filings, results and exhibits
On the ballot: U.S. House, Kentucky 5th District — November 3, 2026 general election
Listed as "Ned Pillersdorf" (Democratic Party) on the KY official election authority certified candidate list for the 2026 General Election (as of read 2026-09-24). Checked 2026-09-24.
Sep 24, 2026 · Official · KY official election authority · sourceU.S. Representative · KY-05
Democrat · Candidate · On the 2026 ballot
Sep 19, 2026 · Official
Not on file for Ned yet: Polls. Coverage varies by state and office.
File read Sep 25, 2026. Each item names its source. Record ID p_grkbyka88.
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