Gov. Andy Beshear is endorsing Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Charles Booker after some tense weeks earlier this year.
Booker, who is vying to unseat U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, is running on a far-left progressive platform which has caused some heartburn for elected Democrats. Now, some of those Democrats are publicly offering their support for Booker.
“Charles Booker has my full endorsement in the race for U.S. Senate. Kentuckians deserve a Senator that fights for good jobs, access to high quality, affordable healthcare, and is a champion for public education,” said Governor Beshear in a news release. “Further, Kentuckians deserve a Senator who understands the power of our common bonds and knows that we are stronger when we stand together. During my time as Governor, we have faced incredibly challenging times. Devastating floods, unprecedented tornadoes, and a crushing pandemic. I am proud of the resilience, compassion, and determination the people of Kentucky have shown in these hard times, and I know we need a United States Senator who will stand in the gap and fight by our side. Charles has proven this type of leadership over the years, and I am honored to endorse him as Kentucky’s next United States Senator.”
Beshear joins former Governors Martha Layne Collins and Paul Patton, as well as Lt. Governors Jerry Abramson and Daniel Mongiardo, in supporting the former state Representative’s candidacy.
In June of this year, Booker threatened to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, according to multiple sources. Kentucky Fried Politics first reported on Booker’s threats, his eventual decision to remain a Democrat, and Beshear’s response promising to endorse Booker. At the time Beshear called the situation “palace intrigue.”
“I want to thank Governor Beshear and these steadfast Kentucky leaders for this historic showing of support, ” Booker said in a news release. “My priority as a Kentuckian, and certainly as the next Senator for our commonwealth, is to build coalitions at every level that will help us secure life, freedom, and prosperity for all of our families. This grassroots movement is inspired by regular Kentuckians standing together from the hood to the holler. I am grateful that these proven leaders believe in our potential to win the future and have expressed their support for our campaign. Our momentum is real, our campaign is growing, and in November, we will retire Rand Paul.”
