In Kentucky Senate race, former president Obama endorses Charles Booker as Election Day nears
Obama backs Booker
Obama’s endorsement came as the Kentucky campaign entered its final days. Booker said he felt honored and humbled by the former president’s support. Booker is seeking to replace McConnell, Kentucky’s longest-serving senator. McConnell, 84, announced his retirement last year.
Campaign sees a possible opening
Kentucky does not appear among the states in the CBS News Senate battleground tracker. Cook Political Report classifies the race as solid Republican. Booker’s campaign says its internal polling points to a closer contest. Booker said the campaign has tried to get voters’ attention and show them the race is competitive, with a possible route to winning.
Candidates have faced past contests
At an Oct. 17 rally in Highland Heights, Trump praised Barr, saying he had been an excellent congressman and would make a great senator. Obama has made nearly two dozen endorsements of Democratic candidates, campaigned for Senate contenders in Georgia, Michigan and Ohio late last month, and raised more than $15 million for party committees during the midterm cycle.
Key points
- Obama endorsed Democratic nominee Charles Booker two days before Election Day.
- Booker is running against Republican Rep. Andy Barr for McConnell’s Senate seat.
- Cook Political Report rates the Kentucky contest solid Republican, while Booker’s campaign says its polling shows a tighter race.
- Booker lost to Sen. Rand Paul by nearly 24 points in 2022.