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Charles Booker

Democratic candidate for United States Senator, Kentucky · Open seat

Former Kentucky state representative; U.S. Senate candidate

Charles Booker is a Louisville Democrat who served one term in the Kentucky House of Representatives. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2020 (he lost the Democratic primary) and in 2022 (he lost the general election). He entered the 2026 race for the seat Mitch McConnell is leaving in December 2025 and won the Democratic primary in May 2026.

Where Booker stands

Wages and cost of living: Proposes a '40x40x45' plan: anyone working 40 hours a week would be guaranteed at least 40 hours of paid sick leave and at least $45,000 a year in pay. He would also back a Cost of Living Tax Exemption to make that $45,000 tax-free.
Taxes: Supports a wealth tax and taxing capital gains at the same rates as wages. Proposes closing loopholes that he says let corporations and billionaires pay lower taxes than workers.
Health care: Supports Medicare for All. Says health care is a human right.
Affordability: Says his 'Kentucky First' agenda would lower prices by investing in Kentuckians and supporting small businesses. Blames Barr for rising grocery and gas prices.
Foreign policy / Iran: Says the U.S. should 'end endless war' and bring service members home. Tied Barr to President Trump on the Iran war.
Data centers: Called for a moratorium on data centers during the Senate debate.
Surveillance / Flock cameras: Supports limits on Flock license-plate cameras. Says the country must 'stand against the use of mass surveillance.'
Term limits: Supports a limit of two terms for U.S. senators.
Poverty and public safety: Names affordability and public safety as key issues and says his broader goal is ending generational poverty.

Background

Kentucky state representative from Louisville (one term)
Candidate for U.S. Senate, 2020 (lost Democratic primary)
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, 2022 (lost general election)
Won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, May 2026
Age 41 (as of October 2026)

In the news

Barr and Booker clash over economy, war and immigration in KY Senate debate Yahoo News, October 20, 2026
Barr and Booker clash on affordability, war and term limits in only Kentucky Senate debate LEX18, October 20, 2026
Charles Booker campaigns for U.S. Senate across Kentucky Spectrum News 1, October 14, 2026
Charles Booker's Kentucky campaign connects the fight against racism with the fight for affordability TheGrio, September 25, 2026

Also running for United States Senator

Andy Barr Republican
Christopher Campbell Kentucky

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.