U.S. House · Kentucky's 3rd District
Maria Teresa Rodriguez
CandidateR
- Race
- U.S. House · Kentucky's 3rd District
- Result
- Morgan McGarvey, projected winner
- Opponent
- Morgan McGarvey (D)
- Research
- Minimal record
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did0 statements · 0 votes
Maria Teresa Rodriguez, a Republican, lost the November 3, 2026 election for Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District to Morgan McGarvey. Her campaign said she lived through political persecution before coming to the United States.[1][2]
On the ballotU.S. House · 3
2026-11-03
| Morgan McGarvey D | incumbent |
| Maria Teresa Rodriguez R | challenger |
Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with 48.2% of the vote, defeating David Nichter, Daniel Cobble and Donald Pay.
Biography
Maria Teresa Rodriguez, a Republican, lost the November 3, 2026 election for Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District to Morgan McGarvey. Her campaign said she lived through political persecution before coming to the United States.[1][2]
Little public record found for this candidate.
Rodriguez's campaign website describes her path as one "from political persecution to public service" and said she was running to defend freedoms she once lived without.[1] She won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary for Kentucky's 3rd District, defeating David Nichter, Daniel Cobble and Donald Pay.[3] Her campaign site listed safe streets, a strong economy, lower taxes, legal immigration, protecting the unborn and protecting women's sports as priorities.[1] She received 29.7% of the vote to Morgan McGarvey's 70.3%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[2]
In their own words
Priorities
- "María is running for Congress to defend the freedoms she once lived without. She believes strongly in free enterprise, safe communities, legal immigration, and protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans."[4]
Campaign money$38K raised · 86% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $33K
- PACs & committees $5,500
Largest committee contributions
- Building America's Republican Representation PAC PAC$4,500
- Maggie's List PAC$1,000
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/maria-teresa-rodriguez
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Maria Rodriguez For U.S. Congress KY Congress 3rd District · Maria Teresa Rodriguez campaign website · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
- 2.U.S. House · Kentucky's 3rd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 3.Maria Teresa Rodriguez · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 4.Maria Rodriguez For U.S. Congress KY Congress 3rd District · Maria Teresa Rodriguez campaign website · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words