John “Drew” Williams, challenging U.S. Rep. James Comer in the 1st District, says he has driven about 140,000 miles since launching his campaign last year. The district stretches from western Kentucky toward Frankfort. Williams, who previously worked on Democratic campaigns in the district and with a county party, said he wanted to bring a different approach to voters even if his campaign had limited money.

“I knew that even if it was just me and my car and $30,000 by the end of the campaign, I would at least be able to put a different kind of bend into it than typically was done,” Williams said.

The Cook Political Report rates the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th districts as very safe for Republicans. In the 2nd District, Democrat Megan Wingfield is running against U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, who first won the seat in 2008. Wingfield, a mechanic and community activist, said voters have raised concerns about household costs, health care and a proposed hyperscale data center near Mammoth Cave National Park in Barren County.

Wingfield disputes the idea that the district is beyond reach, saying Guthrie’s record has prompted her to run as a voice for working-class residents. She said challenging incumbents can make them more responsive, even if the challenger does not win.

In the 5th District, Prestonsburg attorney Ned Pillersdorf is challenging U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, first elected in 1981 and the longest-serving member of the House. Former Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton has backed Pillersdorf, including in an online ad that highlighted Rogers’ age. Patton, who is 89, said he was too old for Congress and compared his age with Rogers’.

Pillersdorf said he has seen increased donations amid rising gas prices and the war in Iran. Federal campaign finance records showed his campaign had about $368,000 as of Oct. 22, compared with roughly $973,000 for Rogers’ campaign. Pillersdorf said he no longer hears as often that his campaign is an uphill fight.

Democratic candidates described their campaigns as efforts to strengthen local party networks and keep incumbents accountable, even where the partisan balance favors Republicans. Williams said building connections now could help future candidates and elections.

Other Kentucky House contests include Republican challenger Maria Teresa Rodriguez running against Democratic U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey in the 3rd District, where McGarvey is considered favored, and a competitive open-seat race in the 6th District between Democrat Zach Dembo and Republican Ralph Alvarado.

Kentucky’s early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday, Oct. 29, with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.