MOST RATEDKentucky Lantern
Central Kentucky U.S. House candidates show few differences in GOP, Democratic KET debates
Dotson defended his views on the 2020 election and presidential authority in the Iran conflict.
Elections75%
FORMER CANDIDATE · 2026 · U.S. HOUSE · KY-6 (R)FORMER CANDIDATE · 2026 · U.S. HOUSE · KY-6 (R)
Ryan Dotson
Ryan Dotson ran in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary for Kentucky’s 6th district and did not advance.
A pastor, Dotson entered the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2021 and ran for the U.S. House in 2026, losing the primary.
Dotson worked as a pastor before entering the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2021, representing the 73rd House district. In 2026, Dotson ran in the primary for Kentucky's 6th congressional district and lost.Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Party
- Republican
- Ran for
- U.S. House · KY-6 (2026)
- Result
- Lost primary (26.4%)
- Raised
- $568K
- LAST RAN
- 2026
- RAISED
- $568K
Photo: LRC Public Information - Photographers David Hargis and Bud Kraft / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
TAP A TAB FOR CAREER, ELECTION, MONEY & MORE
Ryan Dotson at a glance
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COVERAGE MIX · 1 STORY
Click a row to open that column below.TOP TOPICS
STORIESRyan Dotson’s career and background
- OCCUPATION
- Pastor
- PREVIOUS OFFICE
- Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives (2021-present)
2026 election: Kentucky’s 6th District
THE 2026 RACE
Ralph AlvaradoREP$1.5M raised
Zach DemboDEM$1.5M raised
Jay BowmanIND$7K raised
Peter LynchKENTUCKY
Ryan Dotson’s campaign fundraising and spending
- RAISED · 2025–26 CYCLE
- $568K
- CASH ON HAND
- $3K
- SPENT
- $564K
- DEBT
- $163K
WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM
- Individuals
- $293K · 51.7%
- PACs
- $13K · 2.4%
- Self-funding
- $261K · 46%
AIPAC · 2025–26
AIPAC TRACKER →HOW WE COUNT →TOP DONORS
Agrelius, JoshNone · RETIRED$8K
Pirtle, AmieNone · HOMEMAKER$7K
Pirtle, John AJp Pirtle Real Estate · BUSINESS OWNER$4K
Caudill, Steven W. Mr.Dairy Queen · FRANCHISE OWNER$4K
Whitaker, Elmer K.Whitaker Bank · BUSINESS OWNER$4K
Maynard, RockyQuality Coal LLC · BUSINESS OWNER$4K
Foley, Bill RAya Healthcare · MRI TECHNICIAN$4K
Smith, Dinah G. Mrs.None · RETIRED$4K
Dotson, ShermanNone · RETIRED$4K
Bass, NedSelf Employed · REAL ESTATE INVESTOR$4K
Totals by donor name from itemized FEC receipts: individuals and committees that gave over $200.CAMPAIGN SPENDING
Other$436K
Loan-Repayments$97K
Administrative$2K
Travel$1K
Fundraising$1K
Coverage
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MOST RATEDMOST RATEDKentucky Lantern · 8 MIN READ
Central Kentucky U.S. House candidates show few differences in GOP, Democratic KET debates
Dotson defended his views on the 2020 election and presidential authority in the Iran conflict.
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