Class 2Class 2 U.S. senators belong to the electoral cycle that has recently been contested in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020. The next election will be in 2026.
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C
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Class 3Class 3 U.S. senators belong to the electoral cycle that has recently been contested in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022. The next election will be in 2028.
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#
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Senator
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Party
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Dates in office
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Electoral history
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T
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T
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Electoral history
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Dates in office
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Party
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Senator
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#
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Vacant
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June 1, 1792 – June 18, 1792
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Kentucky elected its senators a couple of weeks after statehood.
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1
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2nd
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1
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Kentucky elected its senators a couple of weeks after statehood.
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June 1, 1792 – June 18, 1792
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Vacant
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1
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John Brown
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Anti- Admin.
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June 18, 1792 – March 3, 1805
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Elected in 1792.
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Elected in 1792.
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June 18, 1792 – March 3, 1795
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Anti- Admin.
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John Edwards
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1
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Re-elected in 1792.
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2
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3rd
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Democratic- Republican
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4th
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2
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Elected in 1794.Lost re-election.
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March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1801
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Federalist
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Humphrey Marshall
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2
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5th
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Re-elected in 1798.Lost re-election.
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3
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6th
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7th
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3
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Elected in 1800.Resigned to become U.S. Attorney General.
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March 4, 1801 – August 7, 1805
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Democratic- Republican
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John Breckinridge
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3
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8th
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2
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Buckner Thruston
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Democratic- Republican
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March 4, 1805 – December 18, 1809
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Elected in 1804.Resigned to become judge of the U.S. Circuit Court.
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4
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9th
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August 7, 1805 – November 8, 1805
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Vacant
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Elected to finish Breckinridge's term.Lost re-election and resigned because of participation in the Burr conspiracy.
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November 8, 1805 – November 18, 1806
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Democratic- Republican
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John Adair
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4
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Elected to finish Adair's term, despite not meeting the constitutional age minimum.Retired.
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November 19, 1806 – March 3, 1807
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Democratic- Republican
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Henry Clay
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5
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10th
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4
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Elected in 1806.Retired.
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March 4, 1807 – March 3, 1813
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Democratic- Republican
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John Pope
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6
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11th
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Vacant
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December 18, 1809 – January 10, 1810
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3
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Henry Clay
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Democratic- Republican
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January 10, 1810 – March 3, 1811
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Appointed to finish Thruston's term.Retired.
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4
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George Bibb
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Democratic- Republican
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March 4, 1811 – August 23, 1814
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Elected in 1811.Resigned to return to private practice.
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5
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12th
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13th
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5
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Elected in 1813.Resigned.
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March 4, 1813 – December 24, 1814
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Democratic-Republican
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Jesse Bledsoe
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7
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Vacant
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August 23, 1814 – August 30, 1814
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5
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George Walker
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Democratic- Republican
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August 30, 1814 – February 2, 1815
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Appointed to continue Bibb's term.Successor qualified.
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6
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William Barry
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Democratic- Republican
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February 2, 1815 – May 1, 1816
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Elected to finish Bibb's term.Resigned to become judge of the Kentucky Circuit Court.
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December 24, 1814 – February 2, 1815
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Vacant
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Elected in 1815 to finish Bledsoe's term.[1]Retired or lost re-election.
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February 2, 1815 – March 3, 1819
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Democratic-Republican
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Isham Talbot
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8
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14th
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Vacant
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May 1, 1816 – November 3, 1816
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7
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Martin Hardin
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Democratic-Republican
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November 3, 1816 – March 3, 1817
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Appointed to continue Bibb's term.Elected in 1816 to finish Bibb's termRetired.
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8
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John J. Crittenden
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Democratic- Republican
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March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1819
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Elected in 1816.Resigned to return to private practice.
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6
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15th
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Vacant
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March 3, 1819 – December 10, 1819
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16th
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6
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Elected in 1818.Resigned to run for governor.
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March 4, 1819 – May 28, 1820
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Democratic-Republican
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William Logan
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9
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9
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Richard Mentor Johnson
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Democratic- Republican
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December 10, 1819 – March 3, 1829
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Elected to finish Crittenden's term.
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May 28, 1820 – October 19, 1820
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Vacant
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Elected to finish Logan's term.Retired or lost re-election.
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October 19, 1820– March 3, 1825
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Democratic-Republican
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Isham Talbot
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10
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17th
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Re-elected in 1823.Lost re-election.
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7
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18th
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Jacksonian
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19th
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7
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Election year unknown.Retired or lost re-election.
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March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1831
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Jacksonian
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John Rowan
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11
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20th
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10
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George Bibb
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Jacksonian
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March 4, 1829 – March 3, 1835
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Elected in 1829.Retired or lost re-election.
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8
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21st
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22nd
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8
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March 4, 1831 – November 10, 1831
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Vacant
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Elected late in 1831.
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November 10, 1831 – March 31, 1842
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National Republican
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Henry Clay
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12
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23rd
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11
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John J. Crittenden
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National Republican
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March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1841
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Elected in 1835.Retired.
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9
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24th
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Whig
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25th
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9
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Re-elected in 1836.Resigned.
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Whig
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26th
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12
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James T. Morehead
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Whig
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March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1847
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Elected in 1841.Retired or lost re-election.
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10
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27th
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Elected to finish Clay's term.
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March 31, 1842 – June 12, 1848
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Whig
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John J. Crittenden
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13
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28th
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10
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Re-elected in 1843.Resigned to become Governor of Kentucky.
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29th
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13
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Joseph R. Underwood
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Whig
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March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1853
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Election year unknown.Retired.
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11
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30th
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June 12, 1848 – June 23, 1848
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Vacant
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Appointed to continue Crittenden's term.Elected in 1849 to finish Crittenden's term.Retired or lost re-election.
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June 23, 1848 – March 3, 1849
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Whig
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Thomas Metcalfe
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14
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31st
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11
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Elected in 1849.Resigned effective September 6, 1852, but died June 24, 1852.
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March 4, 1849 – June 24, 1852
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Whig
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Henry Clay
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15
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32nd
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June 24, 1852 – July 6, 1852
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Vacant
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Appointed to continue Clay's term.Lost election to finish Clay's term.
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July 6, 1852 – August 31, 1852
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Democratic
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David Meriwether
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16
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Elected in 1851 to finish Clay's term, in anticipation of Clay's resignation.Retired.
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September 1, 1852 – March 3, 1855
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Whig
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Archibald Dixon
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17
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14
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John B. Thompson
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Know Nothing
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March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1859
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Elected in 1851, far in advance of the term.Retired or lost re-election.
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12
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33rd
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34th
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12
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Elected in 1854.Retired.
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March 4, 1855– March 3, 1861
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Whig
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John J. Crittenden
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18
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35th
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Know Nothing
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15
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Lazarus W. Powell
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Democratic
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March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1865
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Elected in 1858.Retired to run for U.S. President.
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13
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36th
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37th
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13
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Elected in 1859, far in advance of the term.Expelled for supporting the Confederacy.
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March 4, 1861 – December 4, 1861
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Democratic
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John C. Breckinridge
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19
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December 4, 1861 – December 10, 1861
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Vacant
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Elected to finish Breckinridge's term.
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December 10, 1861 – September 22, 1872
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Union Democratic
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Garrett Davis
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20
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38th
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16
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James Guthrie
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Democratic
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March 4, 1865 – February 7, 1868
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Elected in 1865.Resigned due to ill health.
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14
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39th
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40th
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14
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Re-elected in 1867.Died.
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Democratic
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Vacant
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February 7, 1868 – February 19, 1868
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17
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Thomas C. McCreery
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Democratic
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February 19, 1868 – March 3, 1871
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Elected to finish Guthrie's term.Lost re-election.
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41st
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18
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John W. Stevenson
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Democratic
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March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1877
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Elected in 1871.Retired.
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15
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42nd
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September 22, 1872 – September 27, 1872
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Vacant
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Appointed to continue Davis's term.Elected in 1873 to finish Davis's term.Retired or lost re-election.
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September 27, 1872 – March 3, 1873
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Democratic
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Willis B. Machen
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21
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43rd
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15
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Elected in 1872.Retired.
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March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1879
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Democratic
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Thomas C. McCreery
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22
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44th
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19
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James B. Beck
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Democratic
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March 4, 1877 – May 3, 1890
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Elected in 1876.
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16
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45th
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46th
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16
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Elected in 1879.Lost re-election.
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March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1885
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Democratic
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John Stuart Williams
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23
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47th
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Re-elected in 1882.
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17
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48th
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49th
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17
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Elected in 1884.
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March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1897
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Democratic
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J. C. S. Blackburn
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24
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50th
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Re-elected in 1888.Died.
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18
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51st
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Vacant
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May 3, 1890 – May 26, 1890
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20
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John Carlisle
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Democratic
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May 26, 1890 – February 4, 1893
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Elected to finish Beck's term.Resigned.
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52nd
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18
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Re-elected in 1890.Lost re-election.
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Vacant
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February 4, 1893 – February 15, 1893
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21
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William Lindsay
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Democratic
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February 15, 1893 – March 3, 1901
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Elected to finish Carlisle's term.
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53rd
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Re-elected in 1894.[4]Retired.
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19
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54th
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55th
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19
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Legislature failed to elect.
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March 4, 1897 – May 5, 1897
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Vacant
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Elected in 1897 to finish vacant term.Retired.
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May 5, 1897 – March 3, 1903
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Republican
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William J. Deboe
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25
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56th
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22
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J. C. S. Blackburn
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Democratic
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March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1907
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Elected in 1900.Lost re-election.
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20
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57th
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58th
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20
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Elected in 1902.[5]Lost renomination.
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March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1909
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Democratic
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James B. McCreary
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26
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59th
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23
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Thomas H. Paynter
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Democratic
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March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1913
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Elected in 1906.[6]Retired.
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21
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60th
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61st
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21
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Elected in 1908.Died.
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March 4, 1909 – May 23, 1914
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Republican
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William O. Bradley
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27
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62nd
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24
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Ollie Murray James
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Democratic
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March 4, 1913 – August 28, 1918
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Elected in 1912.Died.
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22
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63rd
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May 23, 1914 – June 16, 1914
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Vacant
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Appointed to continue Bradley's term.Elected in 1914 to finish Bradley's term.Retired.
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June 16, 1914 – March 3, 1915
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Democratic
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Johnson N. Camden Jr.
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28
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64th
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22
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Elected in 1914.Lost re-election.
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March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1921
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Democratic
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J. C. W. Beckham
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29
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65th
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Vacant
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August 28, 1918 – September 7, 1918
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25
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George B. Martin
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Democratic
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September 7, 1918 – March 3, 1919
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Appointed to finish James's term.Retired.
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26
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A. O. Stanley
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Democratic
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March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1925
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Elected in 1918.Didn't take seat until May 19, 1919, in order to remain Governor of Kentucky.Lost re-election.
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23
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66th
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67th
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23
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Elected in 1920.Lost re-election.
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March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1927
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Republican
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Richard P. Ernst
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30
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68th
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27
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Fred Sackett
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Republican
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March 4, 1925 – January 9, 1930
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Elected in 1924.Resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to Germany.
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24
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69th
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70th
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24
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Elected in 1926.
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March 4, 1927 – January 19, 1949
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Democratic
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Alben W. Barkley
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31
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71st
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Vacant
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January 9, 1930 – January 11, 1930
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28
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John Robsion
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Republican
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January 11, 1930 – November 30, 1930
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Appointed to continue Sackett's term.Lost elections to finish Sackett's term and to next term.
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29
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Ben M. Williamson
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Democratic
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December 1, 1930 – March 3, 1931
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Elected in 1930 to finish Sackett's term.Retired.
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30
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M. M. Logan
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Democratic
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March 4, 1931 – October 3, 1939
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Elected in 1930.
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25
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72nd
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73rd
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25
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Re-elected in 1932.
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74th
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Re-elected in 1936.Died.
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26
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75th
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76th
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26
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Re-elected in 1938.
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Vacant
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October 3, 1939 – October 10, 1939
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31
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Happy Chandler
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Democratic
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October 10, 1939 – November 1, 1945
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Appointed to continue Logan's term.Elected in 1940 to finish Logan's term.
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77th
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Re-elected in 1942.Resigned to become Commissioner of Baseball.
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27
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78th
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79th
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27
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Re-elected in 1944.Resigned to become U.S. Vice President.
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Vacant
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November 1, 1945 – November 19, 1945
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32
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William A. Stanfill
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Republican
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November 19, 1945 – November 5, 1946
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Appointed to continue Chandler's term.Retired.
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33
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John Sherman Cooper
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Republican
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November 6, 1946 – January 3, 1949
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Elected to finish Chandler's term.Lost re-election.
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80th
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34
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Virgil Chapman
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Democratic
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January 3, 1949 – March 8, 1951
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Elected in 1948.Died.
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28
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81st
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Appointed to continue Barkley's term.Resigned to trigger special election.
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January 20, 1949 – November 26, 1950
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Democratic
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Garrett Withers
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32
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Elected to finish Barkley's term, having been elected to the next term.
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November 27, 1950 – January 3, 1957
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Democratic
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Earle Clements
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33
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82nd
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28
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Elected to full term in 1950.Lost re-election.
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Vacant
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March 8, 1951 – March 19, 1951
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35
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Thomas R. Underwood
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Democratic
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March 19, 1951 – November 4, 1952
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Appointed to continue Chapman's term.Lost election to finish Chapman's term.
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36
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John Sherman Cooper
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Republican
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November 5, 1952 – January 3, 1955
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Elected to finish Chapman's term. Lost re-election.
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83rd
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37
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Alben W. Barkley
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Democratic
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January 3, 1955 – April 30, 1956
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Elected in 1954.Died.
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29
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84th
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Vacant
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April 30, 1956 – June 21, 1956
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|
38
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Robert Humphreys
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Democratic
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June 21, 1956 – November 6, 1956
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Appointed to continue Barkley's term.Retired when elected successor qualified.
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39
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John Sherman Cooper
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Republican
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November 7, 1956 – January 3, 1973
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Elected to finish Barkley's term.
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85th
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29
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Elected in 1956.
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January 3, 1957 – December 16, 1968
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Republican
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Thruston Morton
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34
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86th
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Re-elected in 1960.
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30
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87th
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88th
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30
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Re-elected in 1962.Retired, and resigned early to give successor preferential seniority.
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89th
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Re-elected in 1966.Retired.
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31
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90th
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Appointed to finish Morton's term, having already been elected to the next term.
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December 17, 1968 – December 27, 1974
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Republican
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Marlow Cook
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35
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91st
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31
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Elected in 1968.Lost re-election, and resigned early to give successor preferential seniority.
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92nd
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40
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Walter Dee Huddleston
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Democratic
|
January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1985
|
Elected in 1972.
|
32
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93rd
|
Appointed to finish Cook's term, having already been elected to the next term.
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December 28, 1974 – January 3, 1999
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Democratic
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Wendell Ford
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36
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94th
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32
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Elected in 1974.
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95th
|
Re-elected in 1978.Lost re-election.
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33
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96th
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97th
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33
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Re-elected in 1980.
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98th
|
41
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Mitch McConnell
|
Republican
|
January 3, 1985 – present
|
Elected in 1984.
|
34
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99th
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100th
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34
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Re-elected in 1986.
|
101st
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Re-elected in 1990.
|
35
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102nd
|
103rd
|
35
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Re-elected in 1992.Retired.
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104th
|
Re-elected in 1996.
|
36
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105th
|
106th
|
36
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Elected in 1998.
|
January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2011
|
Republican
|
Jim Bunning
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37
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107th
|
Re-elected in 2002.
|
37
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108th
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109th
|
37
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Re-elected in 2004.Retired.
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110th
|
Re-elected in 2008.
|
38
|
111th
|
112th
|
38
|
Elected in 2010.
|
January 3, 2011 – present
|
Republican
|
Rand Paul
|
38
|
113th
|
Re-elected in 2014.
|
39
|
114th
|
115th
|
39
|
Re-elected in 2016.
|
116th
|
Re-elected in 2020.
|
40
|
117th
|
118th
|
40
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Re-elected in 2022.
|
119th
|
To be determined in the 2026 election.
|
41
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120th
|
121st
|
41
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To be determined in the 2028 election.
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#
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Senator
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Party
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Years in office
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Electoral history
|
T
|
C
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T
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Electoral history
|
Years in office
|
Party
|
Senator
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#
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Class 2
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Class 3
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