James Comer Says He's Making Plans To Run For Kentucky Governor Amid GOP Lawmaker Exodus

"“I plan on running for governor in 2027,” Comer told The Daily Independent. “It’s not official yet; it will probably be official somewhere around December.” Comer did not say whether he planned to leave Congress while he runs for governor. No federal or Kentucky state law requires a lawmaker to resign while they campaign for another office. The House GOP has been hit with a mass exodus of retiring lawmakers, with 35 so far heading for the exits."

"“Any day I’m not in Washington or my district, I’m stirring around the state. The response has been positive. I’m meeting new people and building an organization for 2027.” Comer, 53, said he is touring Kentucky from Greenup, Kentucky, and emphasized that the governor’s race is in 2027 and that he is very interested in it. He described his travel as part of preparing for the campaign."

"Comer told the paper that northeast Kentucky residents like those in Greenup, feel neglected, and that it’s not been a priority for economic development. “This part of the state has a lot of opportunities. The infrastructure’s good, there’s a great workforce, and it’s a community that works together.” He said elected officials in eastern Kentucky are now largely Republican and that local and state legislators from northeast Kentucky are Republican."

"“I don’t feel like Andy Beshear has a good working relationship with very many Republicans who are local elected officials and with no Republicans who are in the General Assembly in this part of the state.” Comer called for improvement in communication between the Democratic governor’s office and the legislature. He framed the issue as a lack of effective coordination with Republican officials in the region."

James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said he is exploring a run for Kentucky governor in 2027. He said the decision is not official yet and may become official around December. He did not specify whether he would leave Congress to run. He described touring Kentucky outside his district and said the response has been positive, with meetings and organization-building for 2027. Comer said northeast Kentucky residents feel neglected and that economic development has not been a priority. He cited strong infrastructure, a good workforce, and a community that works together. He also criticized the relationship between the Democratic governor’s office and Republican local officials and the General Assembly.

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