The first major candidate to declare a running against Majority Leader McConnell was former Lt. Colonel Amy McGrath, who had previously run in the 2018 House Elections for the Kentucky 6th district. Her recent stumbles out of the gate have brought new challenges, such as former marine Mike Broihier, who has already started releasing ads for his campaign. One of the more interesting potential challenges though comes from a recent rising star in the Kentucky Democratic Party. That is State Representative Charles Booker, who represents West Louisville, Kentucky.



The New Voice has reached out to Representative Booker, and he has confirmed that he is looking into a run for the nomination for Senate. Yet, he has not decided whether or not he will run for certain. “I’m looking to make the strongest decision possible,” Booker stated in an interview with The New Voice.

Booker, 34, has represented the 43rd district since January 2019 after longtime representative Darryl Owens retired. In 2018, he defeated a crowded field of six other candidates to succeed Owens and in the general election, he defeated his Republican opponent by over 50%. Before this, he ran against incumbent State Senator Gerald Neal in 2016. He lost in the primary, coming in third place with around 20% of the vote. Beyond politics and campaigns, Booker has spent his entire life in Louisville, being raised in the Shawnee neighborhoods. He graduated from the University of Louisville, receiving his undergraduate and Juris Doctorate there. Outside of a state legislator, he serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships for 1619 Flux: Art + Activism. He now lives in the Russell neighborhoods with his wife and his two daughters.



Within the first 48 hours of McGrath’s campaign, she was able to raise $3.5 million. However, she later stumbled over herself about whether or not she would’ve confirmed Brett Kavanaugh for SCOTUS. At first, she told journalists that she would have confirmed him, but she later backtracked her statement. This blunder coupled with her statements about Trump’s influence on McConnell led to a seemingly large power vacuum in who could be the nominee to face Mitch. Without Booker, McGrath has two potential candidates running against her: Minority Leader Representative Rocky Adkins and radio host Matt Jones possibly entering the race. Although the spotlight treated her favorably running against Andy Barr in 2018, the honeymoon phase is over and now she has faced criticism from both political sides.

Booker pushed back against McGrath in a tweet because of a statement she made, in which she said McConnell didn’t do enough for the President to help Kentucky. Booker came back with, all “Donald Trump has done for Kentucky is lie, further destabilize industries, and exploit fear.” Which seemingly shows he’s already making strategic, offensive moves on her. Recent tweets also only arouse suspicion that he might run, with tweets such as “Kentucky needs a movement” and “Change doesn’t wait its turn. We are the change we deserve, and we can’t wait”.



The only thing Donald Trump has done for Kentucky is lie, further destabilize industries, and exploit fear.



McConnell hasn’t blocked him, he has coddled him. He has pacified him to our detriment. He has turned a calamity into sustained threat to democracy.



Period. — Charles Booker (@Charles4LouKY) July 10, 2019

The outcome of Kentucky’s Senate election remains unknown with McConnell’s tight grip to control and McGrath’s indecisiveness. If Booker decides to run he could make history as Kentucky’s first black elected Senator. For now, we will wait and see what Mr. Booker decides.



Advertisements

Brandon Brooks Brandon is a student at the University of Rochester, double majoring in History and Political Science. He was a Data Assistant at the Louisville Democratic Party before working on the Edelen for Governor campaign in February. He hopes to run for public office in the future.

Share this: Facebook

Twitter



Leave this field empty if you're human: