FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Late on Wednesday afternoon, Charles Booker fired up his supporters at a tour stop in Frankfort.
"We are going to win this race," Booker repeated to the crowd.
Booker is currently the only Democrat running for U.S. Senate to go on tour and hold in-person events.
"He plans to visit cities large and small, talking to Kentuckians about his vision for the Commonwealth, the personal experiences that sparked his desire to run for Senate and his goals for the country once he is elected," said Booker's campaign in a press release.
Tour events are common leading up to an election. However, the pandemic has changed things.
Kentucky's current guidance only allows groups of ten people or less. Under Gov. Andy Beshear's new executive order, groups of up to 50 people may begin gathering on June 29.
Booker, however, is holding in-person events. He has also marched alongside groups of protesters in Louisville as they demand justice, accountability and change. He believes issues like systemic racism need immediate attention despite the pandemic.
"There's a reality that we're dealing with a global pandemic now - but for a lot of communities, we've been dealing with pandemic of structural racism and inequity," said Booker. "And if we go home, our door can get kicked in and we can be killed in our bed. So we don't have the luxury of staying home and waiting. So that's why so many people are taking a stand and we got to keep folks safe, but we have to fight for change too."
As far as his tour goes, Booker said they're taking precautions to keep people safe.
"That's why we're trying to make sure we do them outside," said Booker. "And that's why we're advising people beforehand - if you have health issues, that you consider not attending. If you come, make sure you wear a mask. Make sure you're sanitizing. We're trying to make sure we keep folks safe. But we do realize we're dealing with a time that is unprecedented, and folks are fired up. They're in the streets anyway. They need leadership that's going to be there with them and not just preach at them. So I'm standing for Kentuckians."
