Charles Booker
Former Kentucky State Representative · Democratic · Kentucky
Charles Booker is a former Kentucky state representative and 2022 U.S. Senate nominee running as the Democrat in Kentucky’s open 2026 U.S. Senate race to succeed the retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Profile last updated Jul 7, 2026 · Center Field Politics
Scout's Report
A charismatic economic-populist organizer with a strong grassroots small-dollar base making a third bid for the Senate.
Core Strength
Grassroots enthusiasm, small-dollar fundraising, and statewide name recognition from prior runs.
Core Weakness
A progressive profile and prior statewide loss in a strongly Republican-leaning state.
Recent Action
Won the Democratic nomination for Kentucky’s open 2026 U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Key Metrics
- Reliability
- 96%
- Documented Controversies
- 0
- Funding Secured
- $40M
Roll-call or session participation — did they show up?
Official ethics findings or court records only.
State legislative initiatives on health and civil rights during his tenure (absolute).
Where They Stand
Stances on the issues many voters care most about. Where a candidate has not given a clear answer we mark it "Mixed / Partial" or "Unclear" rather than guess. Positions are drawn from official records and bias-labeled news sources; they are descriptive only and are never scored.
Environment—Supports34
Climate protections and regulation versus fewer climate-related regulations on industry.
Backs a clean-energy transition and a just transition for coal communities.
Healthcare—Supports4
Expanding healthcare coverage for all versus expanding market-based, private insurance.
A vocal advocate for single-payer Medicare for All.
Second Amendment—Supports3
New firearm regulations versus no new firearm regulations.
Supports expanded background checks and firearm-safety measures.
Immigration—Supports3
Pathways to citizenship versus a closed-border approach.
Supports comprehensive reform with a pathway to citizenship.
Roe v. Wade—Supports3
Protecting access to abortion versus restricting access to abortion.
Supports codifying abortion-access protections into federal law.
National Security—Mixed / Partial3
Whether diplomacy or military strength should be the primary national-security priority.
Emphasizes diplomacy and restraint over open-ended military conflict.
Party Loyalty
Party-line alignment on major recorded votes.