2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the six U.S. representatives from the state of Kentucky, one from each of the state's six congressional districts. The elections will coincide with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. Primary elections were held on May 22, 2012. Redistricting. Redistricting legislation was passed by both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Steve Beshear on February 10, 2012. District 1 . Republican Ed Whitfield, who has represented the 1st district since 1995, ran for re-election. In redistricting, the 1st district was made slightly more competitive, but continues to strongly favor Republicans. District 2. Republican Brett Guthrie, who has represented the 2nd district since 2009, ran for re-election. In redistricting, the 2nd district was made slightly more favorable to Republicans. David Lynn Williams won the Democratic nomination without opposition. Craig Astor is running as a Libertarian: District 3. Democrat John Yarmuth, who has represented the 3rd district since 2007, ran for re-election. The 3rd district was made more favorable  to Democrats in redistricting. Brooks Wicker, a financial advisor and unsuccessful primary candidate for the 3rd district in 2010, won the Republican nomination with no opposition. Democratic primary. Yarmuth defeated perennial candidate Burrel Charles Farnsley in the Democratic primary. District 4. Republican Geoff Davis, who had represented 4th district from 2005 to 2012, resigned due to family health issues. In redistricting, the 4th district was made more favorable to Republicans. District 5. Republican Hal Rogers, who has represented the 5th district since 1981, ran for re-election. The 5th district was made slightly more competitive in redistricting. Democratic primary. Lawyer  Kenneth Stepp defeated Michael Ackerman to win the Democratic nomination. District 6. Democrat Ben Chandler, who has represented the 6th district since 2004, ran for re-election. In redistricting, the 6th district was modified with the effect that, had the 2008 presidential election been held under the new boundaries, Democratic nominee Barack Obama would have received a share of the vote 1.5 percentage points greater than that which he achieved under the former boundaries. Randolph S. Vance ran as a write-in candidate. Republican primary. Andy Barr, an attorney who unsuccessfully challenged Chandler in 2010, won the Republican nomination. He  defeated Patrick J. Kelly II and Curtis Kenimer in the Republican primary.