Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
33.8%
21.1%
Democrat
Charles Booker
Kentucky Democratic Senate nominee?
$28.9K
MAY 20, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age41 years old (Oct 20, 1984)
GenderMale
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LocationKentucky
BackgroundPolitician
Notable personal detailsCharles Booker is a Kentucky politician and former member of the Kentucky House of Representatives (District 43). He ran for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022, winning the Democratic nomination in 2022, and has since launched a 2026 U.S. Senate campaign. He also served in Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration as Director of Faith Based Initiatives.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govcharlesbooker.orgen.wikipedia.orgballotready.orgmedicine.uky.edupres.uky.eduwikidata.orgktc.uky.eduancestors.familysearch.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgdbpedia.orgkentucky.govde.wikipedia.orgmedium.comactivism.mediaontheissues.orgeac.govassets.nationbuilder.comupload.wikimedia.orgcampaignforaction.orgreddit.compoliticiancompare.comket.orgwsls.comsunrisemovement.orgspectrumnews1.comwkuherald.comcommondreams.orgtwitter.comforprogress.orgquiverquant.comwhas11.comlex18.comwkyt.comlpm.orgkentucky.comkentuckylantern.comfox56news.comcourier-journal.comwashingtonreporter.newsz93country.comcurrentaffairs.orgyahoo.comaol.comworkingfamilies.orgfoxnews.comballotpedia.orglocalcandidates.orgvotesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgclerk.house.govcommons.wikimedia.orgdocquery.fec.govdailypress.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports large-scale government economic interventions including Universal Basic Income, baby bonds/Universal Basic Capital, reparations, and Medicare for All, and opposes tax cuts that benefit billionaires and corporations. Advocates direct government programs to reduce poverty, build generational wealth, and invest in communities.
Healthcare
Supports Medicare for All and describes healthcare as a human right; advocates for a single-payer system to provide universal, affordable care and cites Medicaid expansion benefits as evidence that public coverage improves health and local economies.
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Immigration & Border
Supports creating legal pathways and relief for undocumented immigrants, including a path to citizenship and protections for DACA recipients, while calling for reforms to detention and asylum processing. Emphasizes humane treatment of migrants and undoing Trump-era restrictive immigration policies.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports codifying federal protections for abortion access and opposes state-level near-total bans; intends to vote for federal legislation that protects abortion rights and has publicly condemned Kentucky’s restrictive laws. Advocates protecting reproductive healthcare access, including measures to prevent punishment of people who travel for care and defending services such as IVF and maternal health supports.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive climate action including transitioning away from fossil fuels, backing a Green New Deal–style program, and investing in renewable energy and community-led mine reclamation and job programs. Proposes a climate corps and large-scale public investment to rebuild infrastructure, create union jobs, and address environmental justice in frontline communities.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports universal background checks, closing the Charleston loophole, enforcement of wait times, and measures to prevent weapons of war from devastating communities; opposes permitless concealed carry and supports treating gun violence as a public-health crisis while pursuing policing reforms and alternatives to traditional policing.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Charles Booker is in the news because he is running as the Democratic candidate in Kentucky’s open U.S. Senate race to replace Mitch McConnell. Recent coverage says Booker is the front-runner in the Democratic primary and is pitching a statewide organizing effort focused on wages, healthcare, and grassroots turnout. The race has become more prominent after reports about McConnell’s hospitalization and his decision not to seek reelection, while Republican Andy Barr has already won his party’s primary.
fec.gov+56
Articles
NNewsweek2 months ago
Exclusive: Democrat Charles Booker Plans to Follow Mitch McConnell's Playbook to Win in Kentucky
Positive
NYNew York Daily News24 days ago
Report: Mitch McConnell was unconscious when he was hospitalized last month
Neutral
NNewsmax2 months ago
Trump-Backed Barr Wins Kentucky Senate GOP Race
Neutral
TNThe New York Times5 months ago
Justice Department Sues 5 States, Most Republican-Led, for Voter Data
Neutral
Polls
Kentucky Democratic Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Kentucky Democratic Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Charles Booker for Kentucky Democratic Senate nominee?
Elizabeth Warren
Public figure
Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Kentucky lieutenant governor Jacqueline Coleman
Elected official
Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Andy Beshear
Elected official
Governor Andy Beshear endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Kentuckians for the Commonwealth
Public endorsement
Kentuckians for the Commonwealth endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Deval Patrick
Former elected official
Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Ro Khanna
Elected official
U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Kentucky labor unions
Public endorsement
Several Kentucky labor unions endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Working Families Party
Public figure
Working Families Party endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate in Kentucky.
Tammy Hawkins
Public figure
Louisville Metro Council Member Tammy Hawkins endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Shameka Parrish-Wright
Public endorsement
Louisville Metro Council Member Shameka Parrish-Wright endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Jecorey Arthur
Public figure
Former Louisville Metro Council Member Jecorey Arthur endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.1M
$824.6K
$549.8K
$274.9K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.1M
$309.6K
$789.9K
$43.9K
Source: FEC