PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) -A Prestonsburg attorney most known for his efforts to represent “the underdog” is preparing to throw his hat in the ring to represent the fifth congressional district.

Ned Pillersdorf has worked in his law office and in several nonprofits in the Floyd County area for more than 40 years.

From the courtroom to the animal shelter, his community service efforts have been well documented for decades. Now, the Democrat hopes to extend his reach, announcing his plans to run against THE longest-serving Kentucky Republican, Hal Rogers.

Rogers, who is 87, has served the fifth district- which includes Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Wayne, and Whitley counties, as well as parts of Bath and Carter counties- since 1981. He has been re-elected for 23 consecutive terms and his seat will be on the ballot in 2026.

Pillersdorf argues that Rogers is no longer representing the people he was elected to serve.

“For the past 44 years I have had an underdog/poverty volume law practice and been involved with several non-profits. I think I understand the district and the needs of our neighbors,” he said on his campaign website. “The truth is, early on, our current Congressman Hal Rogers supported some worthy programs. That has all changed. The one or two steps he took forward is in full reverse. Rogers is enthusiastically supporting the unprecedented assault on our safety net- taking us ten steps back, over the cliff.”

He said the recent passage of President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” is proof of that.

“I think Rogers voting for the bill, even though he said he was against the food stamp cut, is just a total act of betrayal,” Pillersdorf told WYMT. “The fifth district is actually the second poorest in the country and the idea of taking Medicaid away from people, taking food stamps away from people, will do great harm to this area.”

Pillersdorf plans to host a formal announcement on Independence Day, at 5 p.m., in Prestonsburg’s Rosenberg Square.

“Hal Rogers actually cast the deciding vote to pass that bill. It was 215 to 214. If he had been honorable and protected our district and voted the other way, I would not be running,” said Pillersdorf. “I’m running because him and the Republicans have declared war on the less fortunate.”

He also plans to use the event as a protest against the current political decisions.

“A visible protest in opposition to the shameful legislation the US Senate passed [Tuesday]- that Hal Rogers previously cast the deciding vote for. The legislation will make massive cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and endanger rural hospitals. The cuts are being justified to give massive tax giveaways to the billionaire class,” Pillersdorf claims.

He said it is time for change, and he believes that change should be led with compassion and care.

“To be clear, if you support the ongoing proposed slashing of: Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, funds to help low income folks pay their utilities, and the defunding of public television, public radio, job corps, cancer research, etc – all so the billionaire class can get a deficit busting tax break – I don’t expect to persuade you to support my candidacy,” Pillersdorf said on his campaign site. “We can’t afford silence. We can’t afford inaction. We must protect the safety net. If you’re angry, if you’re scared, if you’re ready for change—support the campaign.”

According to Pillersdorf, if Rogers stands up for his people, he is willing to stand down.

“We need to gather together and protest what’s in that Senate Bill and hopefully the House won’t go along,” he said. “If Hal Rogers thwarts that bill and kills it, I won’t run.”

You can see more about Pillersdorf’s campaign here or follow on Facebook.

Congressman Rogers shared a statement with WYMT Wednesday about his continued promise to “serve the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”

“Helping the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky is what drives my daily work, and we still have projects to complete and new visions to cast together. I have every intention of serving the people of Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District, as long as they want me to,” Rogers said.