Congressional Candidate Ned Pillersdorf’s files Congressional campaign papers with Kentucky's Secretary of State
Prestonsburg, Ky. – Today I personally filed my Congressional campaign papers with the Kentucky Secretary of State as a Democratic candidate for congress in the Fifth Congressional district.
The reason I am running is not complicated. The Fifth Congressional district is currently listed as the most economically distressed district in the country. Hal Rogers has betrayed us. He has joined the Republican majorities in undoing numerous programs that the vulnerable neighbors in our district depend on . He has cast cruel votes to slash programs protecting the less fortunate. He cast the deciding vote in the big ugly bill to slash more than 800 billion from Medicaid which will have the direct impact of worsening our rural hospital shortage. He has consistently voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act which has resulted in millions of Americans finally being able to afford health care. Rogers and the Republicans have never offered an alternative. Instead they insist that giving another round of massive tax breaks to the billionaire class will solve all of our problems.
I intend to campaign on rural issues that include the expansion of healthcare access, the expansion of better internet access, expansion of educational opportunities, and to finally do something about the lack of cleaning drinking water in many of our communities.
Since I announced my candidacy on the fourth of July I have made more than 40 campaign stops and listened to the concerns of those impacted. What I have heard loud and clear is that our neighbors are truly fearful of the consequences of the Republican attacks on the less fortunate and are looking for a congressman who will actively resist these attacks and make life more affordable.
At this point it is fair to ask that whether the soon to be 88 year old Hal Rogers is capable of effectively representing our district? Despite the house of representatives being out of session for more than 40 days - Hal Rogers has made virtually no campaign appearances. He is a prime example of why we need term limits. He is simply missing in action.
It is my intention to offer the voters a real choice so that we can have better days ahead.
Ned Pillersdorf--cell number 606-791-1141
PRESS RELEASE: 07/30/25
Congressional Candidate Ned Pillersdorf’s Statement on the 60th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
Van Lear, Ky. – In response to the 60th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, Congressional Candidate Ned Pillersdorf released the following statement recognizing the lifeline Medicare and Medicaid have been to residents of Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District and the harm those same residents face because of Republicans’ selfish, shameless and spineless cuts to these lifesaving services:
“For 60 years, Medicaid and Medicare have been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of residents of the 5th Congressional District. These programs are a reflection of our values as Americans: that no matter where you live or how many zeroes are on your paycheck, you deserve access to quality and affordable health care. Medicare and Medicaid have provided lifesaving care to retired coal miners, treatment for those suffering from addiction and families who work hard, but just barely get by. They’ve helped fund hospitals across the District, giving our neighbors good paying jobs and health care close to home.
Hal Rogers has put these programs–and the lives of the people who depend on them–at risk. By supporting the One Big BS Bill, Congressman Rogers voted against the 316,000 residents of the 5th District who depend on Medicaid to survive. He voted against the retired coal miners, those recovering from addiction and every working family who is one paycheck away from economic uncertainty. He voted against the rural hospitals that employ thousands and keep our local economies running. He did this despite knowing we are the second poorest congressional district in the nation.
Congressman Rogers may be ok with a 5th District that is poorer, sicker and can’t escape the cycle of struggling, but I’m not, and I won’t stop fighting until every resident of the 5th District gets the coverage and care they deserve.”
PRESS RELEASE: 07/09/25
Former Commissioner of Social Security and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley supports Ned for Congress
"As the former Commissioner of Social Security, I can tell you that Ned Pillersdorf has been the toughest and most effective advocate for people on disabilities in our whole nation. His tireless work for the victims of the Conn case forced Social Security to address a long-lingering injustice being done to thousands of honest men and women in eastern Kentucky," O'Malley said.
O'Malley served as Maryland's Governor from 2007-2015 and was Commissioner of the Social Security Administration from 2023-24.
"At a time when Social Security and other safety net programs are under attack, the people of eastern Kentucky need a fighter like Ned Pillersdorf in Congress," he added. "As Elon Musk and his DOGE took a chain saw to Social Security and destroyed its customer service, Hal Rogers was totally asleep at the switch and offered not whimper of objection to a half billion dollars in cuts to Social Security’s customer service staffing."
