Charles
Booker

1. Economy & jobs Supports raising wages, union jobs, and a 'Kentucky New Deal' +

2. Housing Supports housing as a human right; draws on personal experience of homelessness +

3. Health care Supports Medicare for All; calls healthcare a human right +

4. Immigration Calls for abolishing ICE and creating a humane immigration system +

5. Abortion & reproductive rights Supports abortion care and reproductive rights; opposes restrictions +

6. Education Supports fully funded public education +

7. Climate & energy Supports sustainable energy, moratorium on data centers +

8. Taxes & budget Supports tax cuts for workers, wealth tax on the wealthy +

9. Guns Opposes permitless concealed carry; supports background checks +

10. Democracy & elections Supports eliminating dark money and big money in politics +

11. Foreign policy & defense Opposes U.S. war with Iran; opposes funding Palestinian genocide +

1. Oct 11
   news

   Booker rejects Barr's 'socialist' label, focuses on cost-of-living crisis and spending transparency

   Booker said his top priority would be the cost-of-living crisis and that he would create a public dashboard tracking government spending. He rejected Barr's 'socialist' and 'communist' labels, saying 'The only label I'm concerned about is the one on those grocery prices.'

   ↳ Race for U.S. Senate: Barr labels Booker a socialist; Booker brushes it off with focus on affordability · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
2. Oct 8
   filing

   Courier Journal identifies Booker and Barr as major-party nominees with third candidate also filed

   The Courier Journal identified Booker and Barr as Democratic and Republican nominees respectively, with Kentucky Party candidate Christopher Campbell also on the November ballot.

   ↳ Meet Kentucky US Senate candidates in 2026 midterm election · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
3. Oct 2
   endorsement

   AP notes Beshear endorsement could help Booker in final stretch of race

   The Associated Press report referenced Gov. Beshear's existing endorsement of Booker, noting it could help him in the final weeks before the November 3 general election.

   ↳ Democratic wave may hit Republican states hardest ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
4. Oct 2
   poll

   AP reports Booker's internal polling puts him within single digits of Barr amid $2M cash gap

   An Associated Press report cited Booker's internal polling showing him within single digits of Barr, while noting Barr held a roughly $2 million cash-on-hand advantage. No separate public poll result was provided.

   ↳ Democratic wave may hit Republican states hardest ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
5. Sep 30
   controversy

   Data center policy debate emerges in Kentucky Senate race over Booker's stance

   A Team Booker post criticizing Barr's data-center stance was reported to conflict with a position Booker had expressed in April. Booker said he stood by his earlier statements and would seek labor protections and environmental oversight.

   ↳ Data centers spark debate in Kentucky U.S. Senate race · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
6. Sep 28
   news

   Forbes reports Booker raised $1.1M through June 30, flagging significant fundraising gap

   Forbes reported on Booker's $1.1 million raised through June 30 in the context of examining Democratic investment in Black voters and candidates, noting post-June fundraising would not yet appear in FEC reports.

   ↳ Democrats Need Black Voters. Are They Investing Like It? · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
7. Sep 26
   news

   Booker campaign connects fight against poverty and economic hardship in Kentucky

   Coverage described Booker's campaign framing issues of economic hardship and affordability as central to his Senate run in Kentucky.

   ↳ Charles Booker's Kentucky campaign connects the fight against ... · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
8. Sep 25
   debate

   PBS reports candidates agreed to appear at separate locations; no joint debate scheduled

   PBS's Comment on Kentucky reported that Booker and Barr agreed to appear at separate locations rather than together, and that no joint debate was scheduled as of that date.

   ↳ Comment on Kentucky | September 25, 2026 | Season 53 · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
9. Sep 25
   news

   Booker tells Bowling Green event voters share more in common than divides them

   At a Bowling Green event, Booker said 'We have so much more in common than anything that would ever divide us,' arguing voters across parties shared concerns about Washington and the status quo.

   ↳ Democratic candidates make their case in Bowling Green · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
10. Sep 24
    news

    Booker discusses health care as central campaign issue with Cincinnati Enquirer

    In an interview, Booker made health care a central theme of his campaign. The article also referenced the campaign-sponsored poll showing the race initially at 9 points, then tied after voters heard candidate information.

    ↳ McConnell got the health care he needed. Booker wants that for everyone · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
11. Sep 18
    debate

    PBS program reports one joint October debate expected; Booker open to more, Barr favors one

    PBS's Comment on Kentucky reported that one joint debate was expected in October. Booker was said to be open to more debates while Barr was reported to favor only one.

    ↳ Comment on Kentucky | September 18, 2026 | Season 53 | Episode 12 · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
12. Sep 9
    poll

    Booker campaign releases internal poll results showing close race

    Hellbender Newsroom reported the Booker campaign's Global Strategy Group poll on September 9. The margin of error was ±4 points. No independent public poll was identified in coverage reviewed.

    ↳ 4 things to know about polling in Kentucky's US Senate race · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
13. Aug 27
    poll

    Booker campaign poll shows Barr leading 49%–40%, tying at 43%–43% after candidate info

    A Global Strategy Group survey of 600 likely voters fielded August 24–27 and released by Booker's campaign found Barr ahead 49% to 40%. After respondents heard information about both candidates, the result became 43%–43%. The examples used were not disclosed.

    ↳ 4 things to know about polling in Kentucky's US Senate race · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
14. Jun 30
    news

    FEC figures show Booker raised ~$1.10M vs. Barr's ~$9.98M through June 30

    FEC-based summaries put Booker's receipts since January 1, 2025 at about $1.10 million with roughly $310,000 cash on hand, compared to Barr's approximately $9.98 million raised and $2.31 million cash on hand.

    ↳ Kentucky Senate race 2026 odds: Booker vs. Barr - Parlay · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
15. Jun 1
    endorsement

    Gov. Andy Beshear endorses Booker for Kentucky Senate seat

    Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear endorsed Booker, calling him 'the candidate who can bring people together to flip this Senate seat,' according to a September report summarizing the endorsement.

    ↳ Andy Barr: Kentucky Senate 2026 — Record, Issues & Sources · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
16. May 19
    filing

    Booker wins Democratic primary for Kentucky U.S. Senate seat

    Charles Booker won the Democratic nomination in the Kentucky primary, according to general-election coverage. His certified primary vote total was not reported.

    ↳ Meet Kentucky US Senate candidates in 2026 midterm election · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• Deval Patrick, former Massachusetts Governor official
  Patrick had previously endorsed Booker before the January 16, 2026 campaign release; exact date not specified in sources. charlesbooker.org
• Communications Workers of America, District 3, and IUE-CWA union
  Endorsed Booker during the 2026 primary cycle; exact date not specified in sources. cwa-union.org
• American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
  AFGE announced its endorsement for the November election on July 29, 2026. afge.org · Jul 29, 2026
• Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts official
  Warren's endorsement was reported on July 21, 2026. wkyt.com · Jul 21, 2026
• Jacqueline Coleman, Kentucky Lieutenant Governor official
  Coleman announced her endorsement on July 15, 2026. fox56news.com · Jul 15, 2026
• Andy Beshear, Kentucky Governor official
  Beshear's endorsement was reported on June 1, 2026. wtvq.com · Jun 1, 2026
• Working Families Party organization
  The party announced its endorsement of Booker's 2026 Senate campaign on February 18, 2026. x.com · Feb 18, 2026
• Courier Journal newspaper
  The Courier Journal published an opinion piece on February 10, 2026 describing support for Booker, characterizing it as a rare endorsement, while noting its endorsement of primary candidate Pam Stevenson remained unchanged. courier-journal.com · Feb 10, 2026
• Tammy Hawkins, Louisville Metro Council member official
  Endorsement announced by Booker's campaign on January 16, 2026. charlesbooker.org · Jan 16, 2026
• Jecorey Arthur, former Louisville Metro Council member official
  Endorsement announced by Booker's campaign on January 16, 2026. charlesbooker.org · Jan 16, 2026
• Shameka Parrish-Wright, Louisville Metro Council member official
  Endorsement announced by Booker's campaign on January 16, 2026. charlesbooker.org · Jan 16, 2026

Raised

$1.10M

Spent

$790K

Cash on hand

$310K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6KY00385(opens in a new tab)