Charles Booker (American politician)

Charles Booker
Director of Kentucky's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and Community Involvement
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 13, 2023
GovernorAndy Beshear
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
from the 43rd district
In office
January 1, 2019 – January 1, 2021
Preceded byDarryl Owens
Succeeded byPamela Stevenson
Personal details
Born (1984-10-20) October 20, 1984 (age 40)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseTanesha Booker
Children3
EducationUniversity of Louisville (BS, JD)
WebsiteCampaign website

Charles Booker (born October 20, 1984) is an American politician from the commonwealth of Kentucky. He served in the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the 43rd district from 2019 to 2021. During his term, he was Kentucky's youngest Black state lawmaker.[1]

Booker was a candidate in the Democratic Party's primary for the 2020 U.S. Senate race in Kentucky, drawing national attention before ultimately losing a close race to former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath.[2] In April 2021, Booker formed an exploratory committee for the 2022 U.S. Senate race in Kentucky,[3] and formally announced that he was running on July 1, 2021.[4] He won the primary on May 17 but lost to incumbent Republican Rand Paul in the general election.[5] Booker is the first African American to be a major party nominee for U.S. Senate in Kentucky.[6] Following his defeat, Booker was appointed by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to lead the Governor's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and Community Involvement.[7]

Early life and education

Booker was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 20, 1984, to parents who both dropped out of high school to tend to siblings.[8] Booker graduated from Louisville Male High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in political science and Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville.[9][10]

Career

Booker worked for the Legislative Research Commission until 2014, when he was fired for violating a staff policy against partisan political activity after appearing in a campaign video of Alison Lundergan Grimes, a candidate in the 2014 United States Senate election in Kentucky.[11] He then worked for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and West Louisville FoodPort.[12] In 2016, he ran against Gerald Neal in the Democratic Party primary election for the 33rd district of the Kentucky Senate.[13] Booker finished in third place with 20 percent of the vote, behind Neal, who received 48 percent, and Joan Stringer, who received 32 percent.[14]

Following Darryl Owens' retirement from representing the 43rd district in the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2018, Booker ran to succeed him. In a field of seven candidates, Booker won the Democratic nomination with 29.5 percent of the vote,[15] and defeated Republican Everett Corley in the general election by 56 percent.[16]

As part of the Kentucky House of Representatives, Booker served on the economic development and workforce, judiciary, and natural resources and energy committees.[17]

U.S. Senate campaigns

2020

Main article: 2020 United States Senate election in Kentucky § Democratic primary

On January 5, 2020, Booker formally entered the 2020 U.S. Senate race in Kentucky.[18] Booker's platform included universal health care, a Green New Deal to tackle climate change, systemic criminal justice reform and universal basic income.[19][20][21] During an interview with CNN on June 6, 2020, Booker stated, "we're building a grassroots campaign that has folks working from every part of a commonwealth," and "we've raised over a million dollars from regular folks because they know how important this moment is."[22] As a progressive Democrat, Booker supported the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign.[23]

Booker received endorsements from nearly half of the Democrats in the Kentucky House of Representatives, celebrities, unions and organizations.[20] He was endorsed by U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders; U.S. representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley; Tom Steyer; former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development, Julian Castro; Kentucky state senator Gerald Neal; former Kentucky secretary of state Alison Lundergan Grimes; actress Susan Sarandon; the Working Families Party; and the Sunrise Movement.[24][25][26][27][28][29] The editorial boards of the Lexington Herald-Leader and The Courier Journal, Kentucky's two largest newspapers, also endorsed Booker.[30][31][32]

The campaign drew national attention in its closing weeks, as Booker swiftly closed a polling gap with McGrath, and because the winner would challenge the Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell.[33] His surge came after his participation in protests over the death of Breonna Taylor.[34][35] However, Booker ultimately lost to Amy McGrath, receiving 42.7% of the vote compared to McGrath's 45.4%.[36] Upon conceding, Booker released a statement, reading in part:[37]

Don't ever let someone tell you what's impossible. Don't ever give up on your dreams for a brighter future. No matter where you are from, what color your skin is, how much money you have, who you love, what pronoun you use, whether you walk or use a wheelchair, or what you believe—you matter. You deserve a government that accounts for your humanity. From this moment on, let's take the frustration we feel and commit to fighting for change like never before. Let's dedicate to the work of beating Mitch, so that we can get him out of the way. Yes, I would love to be your nominee, but know I'm still by your side. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Kentucky, I love you. From the hood to the holler.

2022

Main article: 2022 United States Senate election in Kentucky

On July 1, 2021, Booker announced he would run in the Democratic primary for Kentucky's other Senate seat.[38] In his first fundraising quarter (Q3 2021), he raised $1.7 million from 55,000 individual donations. He stated that "98% of our dollars are from grassroots small donors," and asserted his campaign is therefore funded by everyday people.[39]

On May 17, Booker won the Democratic primary, and ultimately lost in a landslide to incumbent Republican senator Rand Paul in the general election.[5] He became the first African American to be a major party nominee for US Senate in Kentucky.

Political positions

Booker is a progressive who supports reparations for slavery, Medicare for All, criminal justice reform, universal basic income, and a Green New Deal.[40] He supports actively building infrastructure which would rely on clean renewable sources. He was a supporter, and endorser of the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign[41][40]

Personal life

Booker and his wife, Tanesha, have three daughters. Booker has type 1 diabetes and has said that he had to ration his insulin when he was younger due to the cost.[42] Booker is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, a historically black college fraternity.[43]

Electoral history

Kentucky House of Representatives District 43 election, 2018 [44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles Booker 10,798 76.5%
Republican Everett Corley 3,005 21.3%
Libertarian John Hicks 319 2.3%
Total votes 14,122 100.0
United States Senate election in Kentucky Democratic primary, 2020[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Amy McGrath 247,037 45.4%
Democratic Charles Booker 231,888 42.6%
Democratic Mike Broihier 27,175 5.0%
Democratic Mary Ann Tobin 11,108 2.0%
Democratic Maggie Jo Hilliard 6,224 1.1%
Democratic Andrew Maynard 5,974 1.1%
Democratic Bennie Smith 5,040 0.9%
Democratic Jimmy Ausbrooks 3,629 0.7%
Democratic Eric Rothmuller 2,995 0.6%
Democratic John Sharpensteen 2,992 0.5%
Total votes 544,062 100%
United States Senate election in Kentucky Democratic primary, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles Booker 214,060 73.2%
Democratic Joshua Blanton Sr. 30,943 10.6%
Democratic John Merrill 29,075 9.9%
Democratic Ruth Gao 18,171 6.2%
Total votes 292,249 100%
United States Senate election in Kentucky, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rand Paul (incumbent) 913,257 61.8%
Democratic Charles Booker 564,231 38.1%
Independent Charles Lee Thomason 110 0.01%
Independent Billy Ray Wilson 24 0.00%
Total votes 1,477,622 100%
Republican hold

See also

References

  1. ^ Travis Waldron (November 11, 2019). "Kentucky's Youngest Black State Lawmaker Wants To Challenge Mitch McConnell". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  2. ^ Arkin, James (June 30, 2020). "McGrath wins Kentucky Senate primary". Politico. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Team, WLKY Digital (April 12, 2021). "Former KY Rep. Charles Booker forms exploratory committee for 2022 senate run". WLKY. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Greenwood, Max (July 1, 2021). "Democrat Charles Booker launches Senate challenge against Rand Paul". TheHill. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Charles Booker wins Democratic nomination for Kentucky US Senate". WLWT. Associated Press. May 18, 2022. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "Charles Booker on Kentucky Senate race to unseat 'privileged, spoiled brat' Rand Paul and make Black history". news.yahoo.com. September 20, 2022. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  7. ^ "What's next for Charles Booker? He's working for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear". wlky.com. January 13, 2023. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  8. ^ "Meet Charles Booker". Charles Booker – Stand For Kentucky. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  9. ^ Berry Craig (August 30, 2018). "Charles Booker part of a "Bluegrass wave" coming to Frankfort". Forwardky.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  10. ^ "Charles Booker' Biography". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  11. ^ Loftus, Tom (February 18, 2014). "LRC employee fired for appearing in Grimes video". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  12. ^ Brammer, Jack (April 23, 2014). "Legislative aide who was fired after appearing in Grimes video lands better-paying state job". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  13. ^ Bailey, Phillip M. (January 27, 2016). "Sen. Gerald Neal draws 2 primary challengers". Courier-journal.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  14. ^ "Gerald Neal wins Democratic nomination in District 33 Kentucky Senate race | News". wdrb.com. May 17, 2016. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  15. ^ "Longtime state Rep. Horlander ousted in Democratic primary | News". wdrb.com. May 22, 2018. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  16. ^ "Two Louisville GOP representatives lose re-election bids | News". wdrb.com. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  17. ^ "Charles Booker". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  18. ^ Bailey, Phillip M. (January 5, 2020). "Democrat Charles Booker is running for US Senate in 2020". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  19. ^ Conley, Julia (March 12, 2020). "'Not the Time for Half-Measures': Progressives Demand Far-Reaching Economic and Public Health Assistance as Coronavirus Spreads". Common Dreams. Archived from the original on April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Ernst, Daniel (May 29, 2020). "Charles Booker Must Defeat Mitch McConnell". Current Affairs. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "McConnell's Challenger in Kentucky Wants UBI, Medicare for All". Cheddar. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  22. ^ "CNN Newsroom Transcripts". CNN. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Senate hopeful Booker endorses Sanders for president". AP NEWS. March 3, 2020. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  24. ^ Bernie Sanders [@BernieSanders] (June 9, 2020). ".@Booker4KY is running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, where Mitch McConnell is currently up for re-election. He was an endorser of our campaign for president and supports progressive policies such as criminal justice reform, Medicare for All, and getting big money out of politics" (Tweet). Retrieved June 9, 2020 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [@AOC] (June 9, 2020). "Charles Booker (@Booker4KY) is running for Senate & building the kind of principled, inclusive, and winning coalition in Kentucky that can inspire positive change.
    The US Senate will be a better place with him in it. I'm proud to endorse him.
    Let's go"     (Tweet). Retrieved June 9, 2020 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Forward Kentucky (June 5, 2020). "Endorsement news: Charles Booker, Alexandra Owensby". Retrieved June 9, 2020 – via Forward Kentucky.[permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ Schreiner, Bruce (June 16, 2020). "Grimes endorses Booker in Democratic Senate race in Kentucky". Star Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  28. ^ Susan Sarandon (March 30, 2020). "Hey Kentucky, @Booker4KY is running to unseat Mitch McConnell in Nov, but first he needs your support in the primary on 6/23. Charles is a native Kentuckian who supports The Green New Deal, UBI & Medicare for All, so here's the link to help out if you can". Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Sunrise Movement [@sunrisemvmt] (December 6, 2019). "This morning, as tens of thousands of youth across the country geared up to strike for the climate, we announced our plan to endorse the potential Senate run of Kentucky State Rep. @Booker4KY" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Nichols, John (June 12, 2020). "Charles Booker Is Changing the Thinking About Who Beats Mitch". The Nation. Archived from the original on March 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  31. ^ "Passion over pragmatism. Charles Booker gets our endorsement in U.S. Senate primary". Lexington Herald Leader. June 9, 2020. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  32. ^ "Editorial: 'Change agent' Charles Booker is best Democratic candidate in Kentucky Senate race". The Courier Journal. June 10, 2020. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  33. ^ "Amy McGrath defeats Charles Booker in closely watched Kentucky Senate primary, will face McConnell in November". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  34. ^ "Can a black progressive upset the race to unseat Mitch McConnell?". TheGuardian.com. June 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  35. ^ "Breonna Taylor's mother calls for end to violence after seven are shot in protest". TheGuardian.com. May 29, 2020. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  36. ^ "Live election results: Kentucky primaries 2020". Politico. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  37. ^ "'While I'm disappointed, I'm so proud of us': State Rep. Charles Booker concedes high-profile Kentucky Democratic Senate primary". Whas 11, ABC News. June 30, 2020. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  38. ^ "It's official: Charles Booker will run for Senate again, this time against Rand Paul". WLKY. July 1, 2021. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  39. ^ Watkins, Morgan. "Charles Booker raised nearly $2 million in the last 3 months. But Rand Paul doubled that". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  40. ^ a b Barton, Ryland (May 20, 2020). "Charles Booker's Senate Campaign Endorsed By State House Democratic Leaders". 89.3 WFPL. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  41. ^ Bailey, Phillip M. "Senate contender Charles Booker contrasts with Amy McGrath in endorsing Bernie Sanders". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  42. ^ Christian, Tanya A. (June 23, 2020). "Kentucky House Rep. Charles Booker Was Born To Unseat Mitch McConnell". Essence. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  43. ^ "Kentucky Rep. Charles Booker () | TrackBill". trackbill.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  44. ^ "Kentucky House of Representatives District 43". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  45. ^ "United States Senate election in Kentucky, 2020 (June 23 Democratic primary)". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charles Booker (American politician).
Kentucky House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
from the 43rd district
2019–2021 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Kentucky
(Class 3)
2022 		Most recent