Charles Booker becomes first Black Kentuckian to win a Democratic primary for US Senate

[Bayard]

Source: WHAS

The former State Representative defeated several other challengers in his quest to face Senator Rand Paul in November's general election.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Former State Representative Charles Booker made history after securing his Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate during Tuesday’s Kentucky primary.

He now becomes the first Black Kentuckian to win a Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Not long after he secured the win, Booker tweeted “It’s official. I am the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Kentucky. In November, we will make history by defeating Rand Paul and expanding our Senate majority.”



Read more: https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/charles-booker-us-senate-democratic-nomination-rand-paul/417-c3ff1f74-a5f7-4f4b-af9f-a43688f4565a

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This is one of the good guys. I hope he can blow Rand Paul's socks off. I'll be volunteering. His website:
https://charlesbooker.org

[ColinC]

1. Super excited. I think he has a solid shot!

[ShazzieB]

7. OMG, really?

Flipping any seat in the Senate would be great, but getting rid of Rand Paul in the bargain? Sweet!

[ColinC]

27. Because he is right on the issues tha matter to the average voter.

And his winning the nomination has drawn enough attention from donors, which could substantially help his chances. It'll be tough, but I think he can do it. He's also incredibly charismatic -which I think will help.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Congrats to him

because the EVIL SPAWN OF RON PAUL needs to GO!

[NBachers]

3. Donate to Democrat Charles Booker here- Keep the momentum going:

https://secure.actblue.com/directory?query=Charles%20Booker

[brooklynite]

9. Disagree...

I met with him last year, and he’s very impressive, but as I‘ve said before, don’t support candidates for emotional reasons, especially hatred of the opponent. As much as you hate Paul, there’s no data to suggest that KY voters do. Cook, Sabato and Gonzales all rate this as “Safe R”. Your money is better spent in NC, PA, WI and In protecting GA. AZ and NH.

[Scruffy1]

16. I can appreciate that.

However, I think that it is important race and of course it will get a lot of national coverage. Even if he loses a good race will get a ton of national attention and be good for the party. We all know it's very hard to defeat a sitting US senator, but it can happen. I can't help but think of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Lincoln lost, but it put him in the national spotlight. A strong, well-funded candidacy also puts pressure on the funding from the GOP PACS. In other words, I strongly feel that the best strategy is to attack everywhere. Of course, the little bit of money I can give is not going to make much difference, but if a million sent in a small amount it will.

[Kid Berwyn]

17. So, only send money where Democrats might win.

Not to Democratic candidates who likely won’t.

Without money or Party support, how do we win red state Senate seats?

Me, I’d take private money out of politics and give everybody some free tee vee air time to make their case before elections. Certainly would reduce the influence of Party bosses, monied classes, and the various fundraisers.

[brooklynite]

19. Absolutely correct...

When Republicans want to retrain the House, do they give money to the opponents of Nancy Pelosi and AOC? No, they give money to Republicans have a realistic chance of defeating vulnerable Democrats in competitive districts.

You and I have finite resources to give. There are candidates who don’t need our money and candidates for whom all the money in the world won’t make a difference. The dollar you give to Booker is a dollar you. An’t give to a Democrat with a chance of winning. Our goal isn’t to defeat Paul or MTG; it’s to win enough seats to keep control of the Senate and House.

[AZProgressive]

21. One thing I like about Charles Booker is his confidence

If anyone can defeat Paul it is Booker because he has the right attitude and will campaign effectively against him.

I want to win as many Senate seats as possible in order to get things done. Don’t worry I already split donations with Warnock & Kelly but I will also to give to Booker.

[brooklynite]

29. A simple question...what do KENTUCKY voters dislike about Paul?

NOT “DEMOCRATS”

NOT people here.

Kentucky voters in the aggregate.

According to 538 he has a +7 (positive - negative) rating. That’s not a good starting point.

[maxsolomon]

26. I cannot fathom what they see in that creep.

As far as I know, he hasn't particularly brought home any bacon for the state.

He's a Libertarian gadfly verging on insanity, a rabid isolationist, but he is a reliable anti-Democrat vote. Maybe that's what they appreciate: he triggers the Libs.

[ColinC]

28. I think that lesson applies mostly to the 2020 Senate race.

McGrath raised more money than is imaginable and still lost by double digits. My opinion is she ran on the wrong platform -or lack there of.
Booker is running on a solid progressive platform that will likely resonate with the general public in huge ways. Also his campaign platform has become deeply personal for a huge amount of people who have struggled immensely. I strongly believe that a donation to him is money well spent. So I spent it.

[iluvtennis]

10. Thanks for the link - much appreciated. n/t

[Bev54]

4. Fingers crossed he makes history and wins the general.

[DemocraticPatriot]

5. Best of luck to him! May he be a voice of righteousness!!!

(so to speak)


Kentucky has been rather disappointing for a long time, when it comes to the U.S. Senate---


After all, they did not secede from the Union. They did not join the confederacy
(except for an illegitimate minority who sought to join it)...


Yet they send these traitors and seditionists to the U.S. Senate today...


Godspeed and good luck, Mr. Booker! Don't "pull" any punches!

[Initech]

6. Excellent! Now let's take down Rand Paul!

[Duppers]

8. I saw that!!!

YAY❗Blown away!!

[Novara]

11. Wow, defeating Rand Paul would be fantastic

[LiberalFighter]

12. Rand Paul needs to be tied in with Putin big time.

[SKKY]

13. He at least has a puncher's chance...

....but he's got to run up the numbers in Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfurt and then hold on for dear life. That's how Beshear beat Bevin. Of course, Bevin's aggressive indifference towards teachers helped a lot, but Booker has a shot. For sure.

[IronLionZion]

14. Hope he beats Russian Rand

Kentucky voters might like someone who represents them instead of Putin.

[FakeNoose]

15. Congratulations Rep. Booker and Kentucky Dems!

What an exciting win, and there's still lots of work ahead.

But first ... it's time to celebrate this historic victory!

[Polybius]

18. What's his politics?

Is he more like AOC, Biden, or Manchin?

[AZProgressive]

22. Probably between AOC & Biden

He supports Medicare for All. Definitely not a Manchin, his selling point was to elect him & other Senate Democrats to increase our majority to make Manchin & Sinema irrelevant.

[Polybius]

23. Tough sell in Kentucky

We'll see though.

[AZProgressive]

24. That was the sell for the Democratic Primary

He will probably change his pitch for the general election.

[ColinC]

30. I think a liberal Democrat has a better chance of winning in Kentucky than a conservative one.

But I don't know how often that theory has been tested. We will at least know soon enough if a well funded progressive in Kentucky like Booker fairs better than a well funded moderate like McGrath.

[nkpolitics0845]

20. Which KY US Senator does Booker have an easier chance of defeating?

Paul or McConnell?

[maxsolomon]

25. he has no chance of defeating McConnell

He's not running against McConnell.

McConnell was re-elected in 2020, regardless.

Welcome to DU.

[ColinC]

31. Not to try to interfere with forum rules, but shouldn't people trying to imitate other accounts

Not be allowed?

[maxsolomon]

32. They're imitating another account?

Maybe worth an alert?