U.S. House, Kentucky 5th Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District?
Hal Rogers has the strongest record in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District. Hal Rogers scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Ned Pillersdorf at 56, as of October 6, 2026. Hal Rogers's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Ned Pillersdorf's highest marks are roots in the constituency and results. Gerardo Serrano (4 of 15 criteria), Mikel Wein (6 of 15 criteria) and Billy Ray Wilson (0 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Ned Pillersdorf
56 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- 75
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Hal Rogers
63 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 42
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 63
Independent
Gerardo Serrano
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Mikel Wein
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- NR
Write-in
Billy Ray Wilson
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Ned Pillersdorf
- Credit2023-06
Named one of five national recipients of the American Bar Association's 2023 Pro Bono Publico Award for organizing representation of former Eric Conn clients facing loss of disability benefits.
Source: WYMT, June 5, 2023
Hal Rogers
- On the record2026-06-12
A CQ Roll Call review found he has earmarked more than $30 million since 2021 to three nonprofits he helped launch; Roll Call found no indication this violates House earmark rules.
Source: Roll Call, June 12, 2026
- On the record2021-01-07
Voted Yea on the House objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's certified electoral votes on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021; both failed.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021
- On the record2021-05-20
Fined in April 2021 under the House mask rule (H.Res. 73); the Ethics Committee granted his appeal in May 2021.
Sources: House Ethics Committee statement, Apr. 20, 2021, House Ethics Committee statement, May 20, 2021
Gerardo Serrano
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Mikel Wein
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Billy Ray Wilson
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Ned Pillersdorf. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, and House candidate disclosures were filed with the Clerk in September 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Hal Rogers. Annual disclosures and roughly monthly periodic transaction reports are on the House Clerk index through September 2026. No House Ethics Committee conduct finding or FEC administrative fine found; a 2021 House mask fine was overturned on appeal.
Sources: FEC administrative fines search, House Ethics Committee statement, May 20, 2021
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Ned Pillersdorf. No public record found.
Hal Rogers. No public record found.
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Ned Pillersdorf. His campaign lists October 2026 candidate forums in West Liberty, Somerset, Crab Orchard and Whitesburg, a town hall in Leburn and a scheduled KET Kentucky Tonight appearance.
Source: Campaign site, upcoming events
Hal Rogers. No public record found.
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Ned Pillersdorf. No public record found.
Hal Rogers. In the U.S. House since 1981, earlier commonwealth's attorney for Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. No censure or reprimand found; a 2021 House mask fine was overturned on appeal.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Hal Rogers, House Ethics Committee statement, May 20, 2021
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Ned Pillersdorf. No public record found.
Hal Rogers. Voted Yea on the House objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's certified electoral votes on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021; both failed. Served in the Kentucky and North Carolina Army National Guard from 1956 to 1963.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, Ballotpedia, Hal Rogers
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Ned Pillersdorf. Prestonsburg lawyer for 44 years; led a volunteer effort representing former clients of former attorney Eric Conn in more than 2,000 Social Security hearings and 250 federal cases. Has not held public office.
Sources: WYMT, June 5, 2023, Campaign site
Hal Rogers. In the U.S. House for Kentucky's 5th District since 1981, the longest continuous service in the chamber.
Sources: GovTrack, Hal Rogers, Roll Call, June 12, 2026
Gerardo Serrano. Small-business owner and farmer. Has not held public office.
Mikel Wein. Archaeologist with a 2024 Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Mikel Wein
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Ned Pillersdorf. Publishes positions in general terms, chiefly opposing cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps and public broadcasting, and supporting uncapping the House.
Source: Campaign site
Hal Rogers. Chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, and was primary sponsor of 35 enacted bills, including the CJS appropriations acts for 2024 and 2026.
Source: GovTrack, committee membership
Gerardo Serrano. States general positions on independence from party, transparency, opposing omnibus bills and civil asset forfeiture.
Mikel Wein. Proposes specific measures such as a Resilient Community Corps and making federal funding for projects that affect the environment contingent on a Community Development Agreement.
Source: Campaign site
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Ned Pillersdorf. Explains his positions on his campaign site and lists candidate forums. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Ned Pillersdorf
Hal Rogers. Offers e-newsletters and publishes issue pages on his office site. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Gerardo Serrano. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026.
Source: Ballotpedia, Gerardo Serrano
Mikel Wein. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026 and publishes policy pages.
Source: Ballotpedia, Mikel Wein
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Ned Pillersdorf. A Prestonsburg lawyer with a 44-year practice in the district. FEC by-state contribution totals were not retrievable at check time.
Sources: WYMT, June 5, 2023, Campaign site
Hal Rogers. Born in Barrier, Kentucky in 1937, went to high school in Monticello and practiced law in Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. FEC by-state contribution totals were not retrievable at check time.
Source: Ballotpedia, Hal Rogers
Gerardo Serrano. Says he was born in Chicago and has lived in the 5th District for more than 25 years.
Mikel Wein. Lives in Letcher County on land held by his family for over a century; length of his own residence not documented.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Ned Pillersdorf. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Hal Rogers. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Ned Pillersdorf. Received the American Bar Association's Pro Bono Publico Award in 2023 for the Conn client effort, which he said won back benefits for thousands of former clients.
Source: WYMT, June 5, 2023
Hal Rogers. Legislative Effectiveness Score 0.95 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 1.54, rated meets expectations by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. Primary sponsor of 35 enacted bills, including the 2026 CJS appropriations act.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, enacted legislation
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Ned Pillersdorf. No public record found.
Hal Rogers. Missed 655 of 26,422 roll call votes, 2.5 percent, from January 1981 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Ned Pillersdorf. No public record found.
Hal Rogers. Runs four district offices (Somerset, Prestonsburg, Hazard, Ashland) with a toll-free line and lists services such as black lung, Social Security and veterans help. No published casework totals found.
Source: Office site, home page
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Ned Pillersdorf. No public record found.
Hal Rogers. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of -0.03641 for the 118th Congress (2023), ranked 137 of 436, below zero but above the bottom quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Ned Pillersdorf. No public record found.
Hal Rogers. No public record found.
Gerardo Serrano. No public record found.
Mikel Wein. No public record found.
Billy Ray Wilson. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District?
Hal Rogers has the strongest record in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District. Hal Rogers scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Ned Pillersdorf at 56, as of October 6, 2026. Hal Rogers's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Ned Pillersdorf's highest marks are roots in the constituency and results. Gerardo Serrano (4 of 15 criteria), Mikel Wein (6 of 15 criteria) and Billy Ray Wilson (0 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District in 2026?
Ned Pillersdorf (Democratic), Hal Rogers (Republican, incumbent), Gerardo Serrano (Independent), Mikel Wein (Independent), Billy Ray Wilson (Write-in). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Ned Pillersdorf a good candidate for Congress?
Ned Pillersdorf scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 55 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Hal Rogers a good candidate for Congress?
Hal Rogers scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 42 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 63 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Gerardo Serrano a good candidate for Congress?
Gerardo Serrano has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Mikel Wein a good candidate for Congress?
Mikel Wein has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Billy Ray Wilson a good candidate for Congress?
Billy Ray Wilson has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Kentucky race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Kentucky 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.