Obama Endorses Charles Booker in Kentucky Senate Race

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Democratic nominee Charles Booker in the Kentucky Senate race. This announcement came two days before Election Day.

Obama expressed his support in a statement shared with CBS News, saying, “I’m proud to support Charles Booker for the U.S. Senate. 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 expressed his gratitude for the endorsement, stating that he is “humbled and honored” by the support. He is set to challenge Republican Representative Andy Barr for the seat currently held by Senator Mitch McConnell. McConnell, aged 84, announced his retirement last year, ending his tenure as Kentucky’s longest-serving senator.

Booker commented on the upcoming contest, “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.” He made these remarks earlier in an interview with CBS News.

The Booker campaign highlights internal polling that suggests the race is becoming more competitive, despite Kentucky not being included in CBS News’ Senate battleground tracker. Cook Political Report designates the race as solid Republican. With more than 267,000 early ballots cast, Democratic turnout has seen an increase, with 95,645 registered Democrats voting compared to 83,726 Republicans, according to the Kentucky State Board of Elections.

Booker previously ran against Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul in 2022, which resulted in a loss by nearly 24 points. Despite Kentucky’s deep-red standing, Democrats aim to capitalize on the current national environment to gain ground in unexpected areas.

Meanwhile, Rep. Andy Barr portrays Booker as a “socialist experiment” and the “most extreme candidate” in Kentucky’s history. President Trump has endorsed Barr, highlighting his capabilities during an Oct. 17 rally in Highland Heights, “He’ll be one of the great US senators.”

In addition to Obama’s endorsement, Booker has received support from several prominent figures, including senators like Michael Bennet, Mark Kelly, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Chris Van Hollen, Raphael Warnock, and Elizabeth Warren, who voiced their backing on Saturday. He is also supported by Governors J.B. Pritzker and Wes Moore, and recently campaigned with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and DNC Chair Ken Martin.

Throughout the midterm cycle, the former president has endorsed numerous Democratic candidates, campaigning for Senate candidates in Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio, and has raised over $15 million for party committees.