Former state representative Charles Booker announces another Senate bid in Kentucky

(LEX 18) — Former Kentucky state representative Charles Booker has announced his candidacy for the United States Senate.

In April, Booker formed an exploratory committee to look at the possibility of a second Senate run. He previously ran for the U.S. Senate in 2020 on a progressive platform, touting the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, but ended up losing to former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath by nearly 3 percentage points.

Booker is going for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Rand Paul.

“On issue after issue, if you look at what’s blocking progress, all signs point back to the United States Senate,” Booker said in a release issued Thursday. “The truth is: If we want justice in our streets, we need justice in Washington. If we want change in Kentucky, we need change in Washington. Kentucky deserves a senator who is a voice for the people, instead of one who thinks his job is just to stoke division and hatred. That’s why I’m proud to announce today that I am running for the U.S. Senate. We will beat Rand Paul and transform this commonwealth.”

"For a progressive or a liberal to win in Kentucky, statewide, is a very much a difficult, herculean, task," said Bob Babbage of Babbage Cofounder. "That's really what Booker faces. Anybody who runs has a chance. We have no idea what the dynamics will be exactly or what could happen that we can't anticipate today. But based on what we know right now, it is a stiff challenge for Booker to take on this incumbent at this time."

Booker has previously said he's not afraid of the challenge.

"I'm going to be fighting to make sure we transform Kentucky because this place means everything to me," said Booker. "You know, I've got two daughters and I've got one on the way in August. And I want to make sure Kentucky is ready to make sure they can surpass their dreams."

The Republican Party of Kentucky issued the following statement on Charles Booker’s announcement:

"Charles Booker’s extremist agenda has zero chance with Kentucky voters," said Republican Party of Kentucky Chairman Mac Brown. "He supports the radical socialist policies of D.C. Democrats like defunding the police, the Green New Deal and forcing taxpayers to pay for reparations. Kentuckians reject far-left ideas like these every chance they get, and Charles Booker’s campaign for the U.S. Senate will be no different."

Booker previously served as a Kentucky state representative in the state's 43rd district.