Monica Dean

Monica Dean

Democratic Party

Candidate, U.S. House Kentucky District 4

Elections and appointments

Next election

May 19, 2026

Education

Bachelor's

Southern New Hampshire University, 2015

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

2009 - 2012

Personal

Birthplace

Florida

Profession

Project manager

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Campaign TikTok

Personal Facebook

Monica Dean (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Kentucky's 4th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on May 19, 2026.^[source]

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

Biography

Monica Dean was born in Florida. She served in the U.S. Navy from 2009 to 2012. She earned a bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in 2015. Her career experience includes working as a project manager.

Elections

2026

See also: Kentucky's 4th Congressional District election, 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. House Kentucky District 4

Jesse Brewer, Monica Dean, and Elizabeth Mason-Hill are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 4 on May 19, 2026.

		Candidate
		Jesse Brewer
		Monica Dean
	Submit photo	Elizabeth Mason-Hill

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	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. House Kentucky District 4

Incumbent Thomas Massie and Nicole Lee Ethington are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Kentucky District 4 on May 19, 2026.

		Candidate
		Thomas Massie
		Nicole Lee Ethington

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	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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Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Monica Dean completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dean's 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.

I’m Monica Dean, a U.S. Navy combat veteran, mother, and proud advocate for the people of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. I was honored to be named the 2023 Kentucky Woman Veteran of the Year for my work supporting veterans, women, and underserved communities across the Commonwealth. Raised in a rural community by a family that owned a metal fabrication and demolition company, I learned the value of hard work, grit, and community—principles that have shaped every part of my journey.

I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Oldham County Democrats and have served on the board of Lady Veterans Connect and VetConnect, where I worked to ensure every veteran—especially women—receives the support they need. I’m also a proud member of the Emerge Kentucky Class of 2025, preparing a new generation of Democratic women to lead.

With a background in IT and operations, I understand the power and risks of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. I believe in strong protections for personal data, ethical tech policy, and digital privacy rights.

I’m running for Congress to put people over politics—not compromising on values, but delivering real solutions to the modern challenges facing Kentuckians and our country.

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?

• 1. People Over Politics I’m not running to play political games—I’m running to represent the people of Kentucky’s 4th District with integrity and accountability. I believe government should work for working people, not corporate interests or political extremes. As your representative, I will prioritize the needs of our communities, listen to constituents, and fight for policies that improve everyday lives—whether that’s access to affordable healthcare, better infrastructure, or strong public education. It’s time for leadership that puts people first.
• 2. Practical Solutions, Not Performative Politics Voters are tired of empty gestures and partisan posturing. I’m focused on getting things done. That means tackling real issues like rural development, economic opportunity, childcare access, veterans’ services, and digital privacy. I will bring forward-thinking, common-sense solutions to Congress—guided by my values, not beholden to special interests. We need principled leaders who can bridge divides and deliver results for the 21st century—not more political theater.
• 3. Service, Experience, and Grit I’m a U.S. Navy combat veteran, a mother, and a lifelong advocate. I’ve worked hard for everything I have, from growing up in a rural, working-class family to serving in uniform, raising a child, and supporting fellow veterans and underserved communities. I bring a unique combination of real-world experience, technical knowledge, and heart to the table. My leadership is grounded in service—not ambition. I’m running to be a representative who truly understands the struggles Kentuckians face and has the courage to lead with compassion and strength.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about public policies that strengthen Kentucky families and communities. That means expanding access to rural healthcare, supporting our farmers and small businesses, and investing in public education and infrastructure. As a veteran, I’m committed to improving mental health care and services for those who’ve served. I also believe Kentucky should lead in protecting personal data and ensuring emerging technologies like AI are used responsibly. From the hollers to the heartland, I’ll fight for policies that reflect our values of hard work, fairness, and taking care of one another.

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

As someone running to represent Kentucky’s 4th District, I believe the core responsibilities of this office are to listen to the people, advocate for their needs, and serve with integrity. That means showing up, staying accountable, and fighting for policies that improve lives—like better healthcare, childcare, and rural infrastructure—while also being fiscally responsible. We need leaders who will protect taxpayer dollars, prioritize balanced budgets, and make sure government works efficiently for the people—not special interests. I’ll bring both compassion and common sense to the job.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Like so many in my generation, 9/11 is the first major historical event that left an unforgettable mark on my life. It didn’t just shape the world—it shaped how I understood it. I still remember walking into my social studies class that morning, expecting a typical school day. Instead, I saw my teacher standing silently by the small TV in the corner of the room, the screen already filled with smoke and chaos. Just moments later, I watched—along with my classmates—as the second plane struck the Twin Towers live on screen. That moment is burned into my memory: the confusion, the fear, the dawning realization that everything had changed. It was the day I first understood what it meant for the world to shift in an instant, and it planted the early seeds of my desire to serve, to protect, and to make sense of a world that so often feels fragile.

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

I started working in the summer when I was 13 at my family’s business. I mostly handled bookkeeping and administrative tasks, but occasionally I’d hop on a tow motor or watch the lathe bend steel. The machine shop always fascinated me—watching someone create tools for specific purposes or even just taking inventory of all the small parts, like nuts and bolts, sparked my curiosity and got my hands dirty.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of the biggest struggles in my life has been balancing the weight of my military service, the trauma I experienced, and the responsibilities of being a single mother. After serving in combat and facing the long shadow of military sexual trauma, I returned home determined to rebuild my life and fight for others who felt unseen. Raising my son—especially during his early struggles with hearing loss—while advocating for veterans, women, and working families hasn’t been easy. But it’s given me resilience, purpose, and a deep understanding of the policies we need to create a more just and supportive future.

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Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Monica Dean campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. House Kentucky District 4	Candidacy Declared primary	$9,190	$5,518
Grand total			$9,190	$5,518
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

See also

2026 Elections

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Government

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Candidate

U.S. House Kentucky District 4

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Footnotes

[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)