Since 1984, Mitch McConnell has been a member of the United States Senate, making him one of the longest-serving Senators in Congress. It has been a long time since the thought of Mitch McConnell being out of the Senate has crossed our minds. However, with several candidates declaring their candidacy in the Senate primary elections, many Kentuckians are hopeful that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will no longer retain that title.

Charles Booker, a member of Kentucky’s House of Representatives, is one of those candidates looking to take that seat away from Senator McConnell. In an exclusive interview with The New Voice, Representative Booker discusses a multitude of topics ranging from his career to looking into running as Senator of Kentucky.

Early Life

Demos Negash: During your listening tour, you’ve been going around and hearing what other people have been saying. It seems like you have a common goal of reaching out to people. Did you have inspirations coming into this? Who really inspired you when you decided to get into politics?

Charles Booker: Yes, you are exactly right. My inspiration really started with my mom. I come from a really big family, and my mom, as well as my dad, dropped out of high school to help take care of the family and we did not have a lot of money growing up. I come from the West End of Louisville and I lived in 40203, which has been one of the poorest zip codes in Kentucky for a while now. We were on food stamps and free lunch. I saw my mom work multiple jobs, take care of me and never complained, even if that meant going without eating so I could eat.

I became a type 1 diabetic while I was in school and there were times when my mom had to decide on paying for utilities or paying for my prescription. There were even times where the lights would cut off. She sacrificed, and that story of overcoming impossible odds, working hard, showing continuous compassion, and love is really what led me to do that in my own right as a leader for Kentucky. There are so many across the Commonwealth that know what that’s like. My inspiration nowadays is being a father. I have two girls (11 and 3) and the same types of sacrifice, compassion, and love that my mom showed me is what I have to provide to my girls. Everyone in our Commonwealth should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Platforms

Negash: McConnell, obviously, has a lot of power in Washington. He’s been in there since 1984, despite being very unpopular. Many in Kentucky, including yourself, have not seen progress since McConnell has taken office. What are some big platforms that you are going to be running on during this campaign to overpower his rule and take back our Commonwealth?

Booker: I believe that because I know what it feels like to be ignored and what I have to overcome in spite of someone like Mitch McConnell, turning his back on us is really to say that the power is in us. The power is in Kentuckians. Mitch McConnell is actually very weak because when you think about it, he was elected two weeks after I was born. Essentially, for my entire life, this guy has been in a position where he could really help Kentucky families move forward, but Kentucky remains at the bottom in nearly every measurable index that indicates the quality of life. That’s not power to me. What I’m proposing is a movement of regular people realizing that we have had the power all along and we need to take it back. We need to take a stand together, we have to be bold, and we have to be courageous.

We have to push for policies that are going to end generational poverty because we’re dying. That’s why I came out in support of a Green New Deal. I’m in support of making sure that we take care of our environment, we create new jobs for men and women across Kentucky, especially those men and women who have worked in those coal mines sacrificing their lives to keep our lights on and now are being left behind. We must realize that their livelihood is being taken away from them. We gotta stand with them and a Green New Deal allows us to fight for our future together. Another big one is Medicare for All. I often talk about being a type 1 diabetic and a lot of Kentuckians are not as fortunate as I am. I nearly died from diabetic ketoacidosis, and a lot of Kentuckians have not been as fortunate as I’ve been. Nobody should die because they don’t have money in their pockets. I think if we can explain it from that level of honesty and transparency, and even share our own trauma and pain, we can help more Kentuckians realize that we’re right: we shouldn’t have to die because we don’t have enough money. Healthcare is a right. Another policy for me is Universal Basic Income. I believe that we should be investing in the people of Kentucky, not in these greedy corporations or these corrupt politicians that are just taking our money and laughing at us while we continue to suffer from generational poverty. We gotta continue to be bold, and that’s what I intend to do.

Key Challenges

Negash: It seems like everybody has their eyes on Mitch McConnell, however, there is still a primary that needs to be won. It is for sure to be a long race. What are the biggest challenges that you see going into this race?

Booker: The challenges are not so much about who is already in the race, but about inspiring Kentuckians to believe that we can do something different. Although McConnell has a lot of money and McGrath has raised a considerable amount, dollars don’t vote. People have been used to the political status quo for a long time. We all know things change, and Kentuckians are ready for something different. The work is going to be showing, inspiring, and listening to make it clear that we can do something different and we do not have to accept that Kentuckians have to suffer. That’s where the hard work comes in because there are communities like mine in the West End of Louisville, but also in Appalachia, that deals with the exact same things and struggles.

We have to be able to talk about issues, such as racism, and how it impacts us all at a structural level. We have to be able to acknowledge how much we really have in common. This isn’t all about beating Mitch McConnell or winning the primary race; those are the consolation prizes. This is about saying that we deserve our future, and if we want leadership at the local, state, and federal level that care about us, we need to take serious action. That is why I am taking this listening tour: to listen to folks. The thing is that we are up to the challenge, and I think we are going to surprise a lot of people.

Yesterday was the start of a movement. As I seriously consider running for the U.S. Senate, hearing from you is what’s most important. If you haven’t seen my video, take a look now. Reply with your priorities. And join the movement: https://t.co/RUr9Ad014p pic.twitter.com/fplOyEXwPQ — Charles Booker (@Booker4KY) November 12, 2019

Negash: Something you are going to hear from other candidates is that they are going to fight for Kentucky. What is the fight that you have compared to other candidates?

Booker: I think the key difference is that I know this work is bigger than me. It is not about the title. This is not simply about winning the office. What I tell folks is that I will lock arms with you. I’m not saying that I will have all the answers, but that we are going to do this together and our voices matter. That you need people in your community in positions of leadership that actually pay attention to you. For me, this is not something I learned or read about, I lived this.

The struggle that Kentuckians have been yelling out to folks like McConnell is my story. I think it is going to be really powerful for folks that are actually living and experiencing the things they are going through right now. I am still trying to keep the lights on now and take care of my daughters and pay off my student loans before they go to college. Nobody should be blocked from educational opportunities because of student debt. Being vulnerable, telling my story, and listening to Kentuckians is the opportunity to do something different and not play the same old politics.

State Representative History

Negash: Can you talk a little bit about your experience as a State Representative and how that will transfer to the Senate?

Booker: Yeah of course. I am a state representative for the 43rd district, which is the top part of Jefferson County. It is a very diverse district and has some of the poorest and wealthiest people in Kentucky. Having been able to represent such a diverse group of Kentuckians certainly gives you a new perspective on how to build coalitions. Even before being a legislator, I’ve worked at Metro Council, the Mayor’s office, and I’ve worked for Congressman Yarmuth. I’ve been at many different positions at the state and local levels that have allowed me to see how this stuff works and how to make a law. I’ve staffed for the Legislative Research Commission, so I’ve actually drafted legislation, which many other legislators cannot say.

As a representative, one of the biggest things for me has been building relationships and passing legislation in one of the most dysfunctional legislatures that were governed by one of the most unpopular governors that I’ve seen in my lifetime: Matt Bevin. You can still get things done when things are dysfunctional and the climate is so extreme. You can get things done by seeing and hearing each other. You can still respect each other as people, even if you disagree with them. I was able to pass legislation in my first term by doing that. I feel that leadership is going to be critical for Kentucky to move forward.

Policy

Negash: Throughout this interview, you have mentioned some of your legislative agenda going into Washington. I would like to do a rapid-fire with some policy and your stances on them. First, what would you do for the education system as a Senator?

Booker: What I am fighting for is fully and equitably funding education across the country and certainly in Kentucky. There has been a very consistent effort to take away resources from teachers and not put the investment in communities that have been underserved for generations. That is the fight we need to wage.

Negash: Next, I want to discuss another social issue. Something that has been debated for years is immigration. What kind of policy would you propose or support as a Senator in Washington relating to immigration?

Booker: I strongly believe that we must push for reform immediately. There are a lot of families that are in this country in limbo. It is another way of not acknowledging the humanity of our neighbors and those around us. We need to make sure that there are pathways to citizenship. We need to make sure that folks who came here with dreams of pursuing an education, a career, and an opportunity are protected. I have come out recently saying that we need to abolish ICE. It has become an arm that has terrorized families across the country and not keeping families safe. It needs to go. For me, my foundation is honoring the humanity of everyone. Sure, keeping our border secure is important. However, we can’t criminalize people who are seeking refuge by coming to live a better life.

Negash: What is your stance on income inequality in America. How would you approach that in Washington?

Booker: On the issue of income inequality, that is one of the big reasons why I support universal basic income. I believe that providing and investing in Kentuckians and Americans is long overdue. Obviously, we look at economic development in terms of investing in a company or a corporation instead of the people. We need to change that. In terms of our tax policy, Kentucky is one of the only states you will see with a very regressive tax policy that hurts struggling families while giving tax cuts and loopholes to the wealthiest people.

There was news recently about companies like Amazon that pay zero in taxes. That has to change. For me, I appreciate, at the presidential level, candidates who are talking about pushing for real reforms and pushing for a wealth tax but also making it clear that our focus is investing in the people, getting everybody to play their part, and pay their fair share to fight for a better future.

Negash: Speaking of the Presidential race, are there any candidates that you are looking into?

Booker: As several of them start to drop out, it sorta starts to make it a little clearer, but I will say now that there are definitely a few that I am looking into. I can say that I pay attention to all of them and that I’ve met Senator Sanders when he came to Louisville. I met Mayor Pete as well. My hope is that all the candidates will come to Kentucky because a lot of times, especially in the primary process, Kentucky does not get any attention and that has to change.

What I’m really looking for is someone who is willing to fight for structural change and structural equality. Who is going to push for a system-level change that is going to make sure poverty is not something that we pass down to the next generation? Who is going to make sure that corruption is out of politics? Which of course means Mitch McConnell has to go. We need someone in the seat of the presidency who is going to treat these issues like urgent matters. There are few that are doing that and my hope is to keep evaluating them and make an endorsement before the primaries hit. I’m definitely going to keep my eyes open for sure.

Negash: That sounds great because that involves my next question, which is about money in politics. You have sounded critical against it, so why not talk about it?

Booker: It has to go. Citizens United has been one of the gateways to crushing the voices of regular people and drowning out democracy. It’s insane, it’s not right, and in a lot of ways, it is criminal to have these wealthy corporations and donors that can flood money into these races and pretty much say the citizens don’t matter. I am going to fight for that wholeheartedly. I know my voice is important and I need Kentuckians to know that so we can fight together.

Candidacy

Negash: From what I have heard today, you have made some serious progress on your campaign. Where exactly are you in that process and do you think you will be running?

Booker: I will say that I am committed to this work. What I’ve talked about and empowering Kentuckians and taking a stand to take our future back is something that I am committed to. That is what I’m going to be doing every day I wake up. I believe this is our moment and this exploratory is our way of telling Kentuckians that I believe we need to do this, and I’m not going to make the decision without you. The response I’m getting across the board is overwhelmingly “let’s do this.” I am going to continue to do my due diligence. We are building infrastructure to where if we move forward, we can build this campaign. I’ve worked on campaigns before and I know that we are going to need the pieces to carry this out. And we are not going to waste time. The holiday season is upon us and we are doing this listening tour now and we want to make the best decision possible. I am confident we can get there, but again, I am not going to do it without Kentuckians. For now, stay tuned. For everyone: booker4ky is my handle on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and you can keep up with where I’m going.

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