Mike Faris

Mike Faris (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Kentucky. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on May 19, 2026.

Faris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Mike Faris was born in Corydon, Indiana. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a high school diploma from Central Hardin High School and a military citation from the Community College of the Air Force in 2005. His career experience includes owning an aviation maintenance company.^[1]

Elections

2026

General election

The primary will occur on May 19, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Kentucky

Logan Forsythe, Jared Randall, Pamela Stevenson, Vincent Thompson, and Joel Willett are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Kentucky on May 19, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Logan Forsythe
		Jared Randall
		Pamela Stevenson
	Submit photo	Vincent Thompson
	Submit photo	Joel Willett

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Kentucky

The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Kentucky on May 19, 2026.

		Candidate
		Andy Barr
		Daniel Cameron
		Mike Faris
	Submit photo	Wende Kennedy
	Submit photo	Nate Morris
	Submit photo	Andrew Shelley

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Jacob Trimble (R)
Mitch McConnell (R)

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Mike Faris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Faris' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky with a 20 year career in aviation maintenance. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and small business owner of PRIMEHAWX, LLC.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

With over 20 years of experience in aviation and as the founder of PRIMEHAWX, LLC, I’ve led teams, trained professionals, and built a small business from the ground up — always with a commitment to quality through integrity. Our ability to be a voice for and representative of the values of the people, should always be founded on integrity. That’s something that the majority of our current politicians seem to have none ditched on their journey to Washington D.C.
I was born into hardship in Corydon, Indiana and spent the early part of my life in the welfare system — but my story changed when I was adopted by a hardworking Kentucky family in Sonora, who owned and operated a hay and tobacco farm. They didn’t just give me a home; they gave me values: faith, discipline, and the dignity of honest work. It was in those fields that I learned what it means to earn your way, to respect others, and to never make excuses. That experience didn’t just rescue me — it rooted me in the strength of Kentucky’s soil and the power of American opportunity. The victim hood mentality is not welcome here! I’m running to fight for those same values and opportunities for every Kentuckian. The victimhood
I’m not backed by party bosses or political insiders — and I don’t want to be. This is a grassroots movement powered by hardworking Kentuckians who are tired of empty promises and career politicians. I’m committed to running the most cost-effective U.S. Senate campaign in Kentucky history, proving that real change doesn’t require millions of dollars — just a message that connects, a backbone that won’t bend, and a people who are ready to take their government back. This campaign belongs to you.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe in term limits and sending citizen leaders—not career politicians—to Washington. We need God-fearing men who live with integrity and answer to the people, not party elites. I was rescued from the welfare state and raised on a Kentucky farm, where I learned faith, hard work, and personal responsibility. The welfare system traps people in dependency—it’s time to replace it with opportunity. I’ll fight to repeal outlandish regulations that burden our farmers, workers, and small businesses. I won’t vote for endless wars, and I’ll always put America First. This is a grassroots campaign—by the people, for the people—and we’re taking Kentucky values to the U.S. Senate.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should be honest, dependable, and grounded in something bigger than themselves. Integrity matters — doing the right thing, even when it’s not easy. So does accountability. You work for the people, not the party or the lobbyists.

We need leaders who’ve lived real life — who know what it’s like to work with their hands, raise a family, and struggle a little. I believe in personal responsibility. I don’t make excuses, and I won’t accept them from Washington.

Faith, service, and common sense should guide decisions. I’m not in this for a title. I’m in it because I love this country, I love this state, and I think it’s time someone stood up and said, “enough.”

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’m not a polished politician — and that’s exactly why I’ll be effective. I’ve spent over 20 years leading teams, fixing problems, and building something from the ground up. I know how to make tough calls, take responsibility, and get the job done without excuses.

I was rescued from the welfare system, raised on a Kentucky farm, and built my life on faith, grit, and integrity. I don’t just talk about personal responsibility — I’ve lived it.

I’ll bring common sense, a strong backbone, and the kind of leadership that answers to the people — not the political class. I’ve never been afraid of hard work, and I’m not about to start now.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of a U.S. Senator is to represent the people — not special interests, not party elites, and not themselves. That means standing up for the Constitution, protecting our freedoms, and making sure the government works for everyday Americans, not against them.

A senator should fight for their state’s values and push back when Washington overreaches. They should read the bills, show up for the votes, and never forget who sent them there.

This job isn’t about headlines or handshakes in D.C. It’s about service, common sense, and having the guts to do what’s right — even when it’s not easy.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be remembered as a man who stood his ground, told the truth, and never forgot where he came from. I want folks to say, “He fought for us. He didn’t sell out. He kept his word.”

I was rescued from a broken system and given a second chance — and I’ve spent my life trying to live in a way that honors that gift. If I can help restore faith in leadership, protect our freedoms, and leave this country stronger for the next generation — that’s the legacy I’m after.

I want to show people that you don’t need to be born into power to make a difference — you just need courage, conviction, and a willingness to serve something bigger than yourself.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Although I started working on my families hay and tobacco farm at age 12, my first public job was a Blue Beacon truck wash in Glendale Kentucky. I was employed there for a year while in high school, immediately leaving for the U.S. Air Force.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Over the next ten years, our biggest threat isn’t just from foreign enemies — it’s from within. We’re facing a crisis of leadership, a breakdown of values, and a government that’s forgotten who it works for.

We’ve got out-of-control spending, a broken border, a weakened military, and young people being taught to hate their own country. The debt is unsustainable, the welfare state is growing, and too many politicians are more interested in headlines than results.

But above all, we’re losing our sense of responsibility, faith, and unity. If we don’t get back to what made America strong — faith, family, work, and freedom — we risk losing the whole thing.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term Limits are a must and will bring integrity, faith and accountability back to the Senate. A

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. Senate was designed to be a place of stability, debate, and long-term thinking — where cooler heads prevail and the Constitution is respected. It’s supposed to be a check on runaway government, not a rubber stamp for the party in power.

What makes the Senate unique is its ability to slow things down, ask tough questions, and protect the rights of the states and the people. But that only works when the people serving in it take the job seriously and remember who they work for.

It’s not about titles, traditions, or speeches — it’s about having the courage to stand firm, defend liberty, and put country over politics.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, the founding fathers didn’t have experience. I don’t believe you need to be a career politician to serve in the U.S. Senate. In fact, I think it’s better if you’re not. We’ve had a lot of folks with decades in government, and look where that’s gotten us.

What we need are people with real-life experience — folks who’ve signed the front of a paycheck, raised a family, worked with their hands, and lived through the consequences of bad policy.

I’ve spent my life solving problems, leading teams, and building something from nothing. That kind of experience matters more than knowing how to work the political system. I’m not running to play the game — I’m running to change it.

What do you think of the filibuster?

The filibuster exists to protect the minority voice and keep one party from steamrolling the other — and I believe that’s important. It forces debate, encourages compromise, and keeps the Senate from turning into just another version of the House.

Now, do some politicians abuse it? Sure. But the answer isn’t to get rid of it — it’s to elect better people who use it the right way. I won’t support blowing up the rules just because one side wants to force through its agenda.

We need to preserve the filibuster, not because it’s tradition — but because it’s a safeguard against tyranny, and the Senate’s last line of defense for common sense.

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Thomas Massie and Rand Paul

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

I’ll support judges who interpret the law as it’s written, not as they wish it to be. The job of a judge isn’t to push a political agenda — it’s to uphold the Constitution, protect individual rights, and respect the limits of government power. No activist judges. No legislating from the bench.

But the truth is, we’ve drifted far from how the Founders intended our courts to work. I believe we should repeal the Judiciary Act of 1789 and return judicial selection to the states where those courts actually sit.

When that Act was passed, America had just won its independence. The people were principled, self-reliant, and deeply committed to local control. They didn’t fight a revolution to trade one centralized power for another. If we want to restore accountability and real justice, we need to bring the courts closer to the people — not keep them under the thumb of Washington, D.C.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I believe in common ground, not compromising on core values. If there’s a way to work together and deliver real results for the people of Kentucky — I’m all for it. I’ll sit at the table, I’ll listen, and I’ll lead with respect.

But let’s be clear: I won’t trade away the Constitution, my convictions, or Kentucky’s values just to say we “got something done.” Some things aren’t negotiable — like our freedoms, our faith, our borders, or our right to life.

We’ve had too many politicians who compromise just to keep their seat. I’d rather stand alone on principle than sell out for a deal that sells out the people.

How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?

The U.S. Senate’s investigative power should be used to hold government accountable, not settle political scores. It’s not a tool for TV drama or partisan theater — it’s a responsibility to uncover the truth, protect the Constitution, and expose corruption, no matter which side it’s on.

If agencies are abusing power, if taxpayer money is being wasted, or if the American people are being misled, the Senate should step in and dig deep — with transparency and backbone.

I believe in real oversight, not show hearings. Investigations should lead to action: cutting waste, firing the corrupt, and fixing what’s broken. The people deserve answers — and I won’t be afraid to ask the tough questions to get them.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

None

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?

I’m not interested in rubber-stamping anyone just because a president picked them. I’d look at every nominee based on one thing: are they qualified, honest, and willing to serve the country — not a political agenda?

If someone has a record of pushing radical policies, abusing power, or putting politics over people, they’re getting a no from me. I don’t care what party they’re from — I care if they respect the Constitution, understand the job, and will do it with integrity.

These positions aren’t about status — they’re about serving the American people. I’ll treat every vote that way.

What committees interest you?

Armed Services, Homeland Security, Budget or Transportation.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

If you’re spending the taxpayers’ money, you owe them an explanation. Period. There’s no excuse for backroom deals, bloated budgets, or wasting hard-earned dollars on nonsense. Every dollar should be tracked, and every official should be held accountable.

I support full financial transparency for elected officials and strict oversight of government spending. We don’t need more bureaucrats — we need honest leadership that knows how to live within a budget, just like Kentucky families do.

I’ll push for audits, spending caps, and common sense reforms. The American people deserve to know where their money’s going — and that someone’s watching the store.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Mike Faris campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. Senate Kentucky	Candidacy Declared primary	$3,926	$5,807
Grand total			$3,926	$5,807
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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Candidate

U.S. Senate Kentucky

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 29, 2025

[show]

Kentucky's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Mitch McConnell (R)

Rand Paul (R)

Representatives

District 1

James Comer (R)

District 2

Brett Guthrie (R)

District 3

Morgan McGarvey (D)

District 4

Thomas Massie (R)

District 5

Hal Rogers (R)

District 6

Andy Barr (R)

Republican Party (7)

Democratic Party (1)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 29, 2025

[1]

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Mike Faris

Contents

Biography

Elections

2026

General election

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Kentucky

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Kentucky

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

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