Former President Barack Obama endorsed Charles Booker, the Democratic nominee, in the Kentucky Senate race. This announcement came just two days before Election Day.
“I’m proud to support Charles Booker for the U.S. Senate,” said Obama. “Charles cares deeply about the people of Kentucky, and by sending him to Washington, working families across the Commonwealth would have a leader who understands their struggles and has what it takes to make real change.”
Booker, who expressed that he was “humbled and honored,” is running against Republican Rep. Andy Barr. The race follows the retirement of Mitch McConnell, Kentucky’s longest-serving senator, who announced his retirement last year at 84.
Booker remarked in an earlier CBS News interview, “Mitch McConnell essentially built a career leveraging Kentucky to become one of the most powerful politicians in our country, and we know that by flipping Kentucky, we flip the U.S. Senate.”
While Kentucky is not considered a battleground state according to CBS News, Booker’s campaign claims internal polls show the race tightening. The Cook Political Report, however, views it as a solid Republican hold. Yet, there’s noted increased Democratic turnout during early voting.
According to the Kentucky State Board of Elections, over 267,000 voted early with 95,645 Democrats and 83,726 registered, indicating potential momentum for Booker.
Charles Booker previously ran against Republican Sen. Rand Paul in 2022, losing by nearly 24 points. Despite Kentucky’s strong Republican lean, Democrats hope national trends might help them gain ground.
Barr has positioned Booker as “a socialist experiment” and “the most extreme candidate in the history of our state.” Meanwhile, former President Trump endorsed Barr and praised him as “an amazing congressman” during a rally in October.
Obama’s endorsement adds to a list of high-profile support for Booker, including from Senators Michael Bennet, Mark Kelly, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Chris Van Hollen, Raphael Warnock, and Elizabeth Warren. Furthermore, Booker has backing from Governors J.B. Pritzker and Wes Moore. He recently campaigned alongside Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and DNC Chair Ken Martin.
Obama has been actively endorsing Democratic candidates, raising more than $15 million for party committees throughout the midterm cycle. His efforts include campaigning in Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio.
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