Kentucky trainer Dale Romans formally announced a bid for the United States Senate Nov. 12, seeking to fill the seat that will be vacated by the retirement of longtime Senator Mitch McConnell in early 2027. McConnell, formerly the longest-serving party leader in Senate history, is not seeking re-election in 2026.
Romans' announcement was not unexpected as his intention to run had been widely known for the past month. He had declined media interviews and news stories related to his bid ahead of his Wednesday announcement. He held a fundraiser last week at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society in downtown Louisville.
In a release issued early Wednesday, Romans indicated that he would run as an independent Democrat and would need to win a primary in the spring to compete in the general election. Republicans consistently outpoll Democrats in the state, particularly in its rural counties. The last Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky was Wendell Ford in the 1992 Senate election.
"I wouldn't be beholden to the party, but also wouldn't be a puppet to the president like a Republican freshman Senator would have to be," Romans said in remarks from a release.
Romans enters a Democratic primary that includes Amy McGrath, who secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in 2020 before being soundly defeated by McConnell in the general election.
Romans is campaigning on a platform of tackling affordability, repealing tariffs, restoring and expanding healthcare, and addressing immigration.
Romans grew up in Shively, located five miles southwest of downtown Louisville, and he still resides in the city with his partner, former jockey Tammy Fox. They have two adult children and recently became grandparents.
Romans has tallied a successful career as a trainer, tallying over 2,250 career wins, including victories in the 2011 Preakness Stakes (G1) with Shackleford and the 2015 Travers Stakes (G1) with Keen Ice . He also trained Kitten's Joy, a highly successful horse who became an influential turf sire.
Romans serves as president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association and was appointed by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to the Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming Corporation, the regulator of horse racing in Kentucky.
Romans declined a Wednesday interview with BloodHorse.
