Ralph Alvarado

RFormer Kentucky State Senator, District 28 (2015-2023)

Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary.

Ralph Alvarado is the Republican nominee for Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, a physician and former Kentucky state senator. He campaigns primarily on healthcare, saying he wants to work across party lines to lower costs.[3][4]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

On the record — official actions

  • actionChaired the Kentucky Senate Health and Welfare Committee during the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 legislative sessions.[3]
  • vote2019-02-14 · Voted yes on SB 9 (banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detectable, with limited exceptions), which passed the Kentucky Senate 31-6 on February 14, 2019.[5]
  • vote2019-02-14 · Voted yes on SB 150 (eliminating the permit requirement to carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky), which passed the Kentucky Senate 29-8 on February 14, 2019.[6]
  • vote2021-03-16 · Voted yes on HB 563 (creating a tax-credit scholarship program funding private-school tuition and other education expenses), which passed the Kentucky Senate 21-15 on March 16, 2021.[7]

Positions on the issues

  • MixedExpand public health coverage

    Campaigns primarily on lowering healthcare costs through bipartisan cooperation, without specifying support for a public-coverage expansion.[4]

    “In Congress, I'll work with both parties to fight for affordable healthcare, lower costs, and practical solutions that help Kentucky families.”
  • OpposesProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on SB 9, which banned abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detectable, with exceptions.[5]

  • OpposesStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on SB 150, which eliminated Kentucky's permit requirement to carry a concealed deadly weapon.[6]

  • SupportsPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)From recorded votes

    Voted yes on HB 563, which created a tax-credit scholarship program funding private-school tuition and other education expenses for Kentucky students.[7]

In their words — priorities

  • "Healthcare isn't a talking point to me — it's been my life's work. In Congress, I'll work with both parties to fight for affordable healthcare, lower costs, and practical solutions that help Kentucky families."[4]

Background

  • Earned a bachelor of science degree and a medical degree from Loma Linda University and completed his medical residency at the University of Kentucky.[3]
  • Worked as a physician with Kentucky One Medical Group and served on the board of trustees of the Kentucky Medical Association.[3]
  • Served in the Kentucky State Senate, District 28, from 2015 to 2023, chairing the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.[3]

Campaign money

Raised $1.5M · spent $1.1M · $398K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Also on the ballot for this seat: Zach Dembo, Pete Lynch, Jay Bowman, Robert Quigley · Compare side by side

Sources cited in this profile

  1. 3.Ralph Alvarado · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 4.Ralph Alvarado for Congress | Official Website · Ralph Alvarado campaign website · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
  3. 5.Kentucky Senate vote history, SB 9 (2019 Regular Session) — abortion ("heartbeat bill") · Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · 2019-02-14 Official record
  4. 6.Kentucky Senate vote history, SB 150 (2019 Regular Session) — permitless concealed carry · Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · 2019-02-14 Official record
  5. 7.Kentucky vote history, HB 563 (2021 Regular Session) — school choice tax-credit scholarships · Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · 2021-03-16 Official record