Another Hat In The Ring Against Mitch

Amy McGrath isn't the only name running against Mitch McConnell.  Louisville state Representative Charles Booker is considering entering the race and says he'll make a decision by the end of the month.

Booker, 35, a first-term state legislator, told The Courier Journal he filed the paperwork for his committee Monday and plans to launch a statewide listening tour by the end of November before he makes a final decision on whether to run.

"It's clear that Kentuckians are ready for a change and they're ready for a movement," Booker said. "My goal with this process is to make sure that we can build the infrastructure needed to catalyze that."

He said he's tired of McConnell using Kentucky as a "poker chip" to gain power while the Bluegrass State suffers.

"The fact of the matter is: (McConnell) knows how to do something about it. He has the power to and chooses not to," said Booker, who was born a few weeks before McConnell was first elected to the Senate in 1984. "And that's the part that pisses me off, because while he jokes about calling himself the Grim Reaper, we're literally dying."

Booker, who has Type 1 diabetes, said he's had to ration insulin before and "nearly died myself" doing so. McConnell is blocking a bill that House Democrats say would lower drug prices.

"(McConnell) has the tools, he has the ability to help Kentucky. He chooses not to and mocks us while he doesn't," Booker added.

Booker's decision to form an exploratory committee marks a significant step toward potentially running for U.S. Senate. But the state representative previously said that he had an eye on Washington, D.C.

Here's Booker's announcement ad, and it's a good one.



Booker has a real future. We'll see if it goes through McConnell's seat.