Charles booker is the Democratic nominee for Senate in Kentucky, and part of the wave of progressive candidates who have been racking up victories in their primaries recently. A former Kentucky state House Representative, Booker is a supporter of Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, and a “Working People’s Bill of Rights” that includes better wages and union protections. He joined Current Affairs associate editor Alex Skopic to discuss the state of the Kentucky race, and why he believes he has a real shot to replace Senator Mitch McConnell in November. 

Alex Skopic

First, congratulations on your race. Very good margin there. What was your final margin of victory?

Charles Booker

Around 12 points. I actually, once we got double digits, rested my head briefly because those numbers fluctuate as those final votes come in. But it was a very resounding message that regular people are ready to stand up and take our future back, and I’m proud to be a part of this, man. I’m honored.

Skopic

Yes, I think it was a result that kind of shocked the whole country, because a double-digit primary win for a progressive candidate in Kentucky is not something I think most of the media was ready for.

I want to start by talking about your platform, because your platform is one of the most comprehensive I’ve seen from a candidate in this cycle. You’ve got Medicare for All, a strong stance on Gaza, and a minimum wage proposal of $45,000 a year. But I want to start with Medicare for All, because this is one of the litmus tests that certainly I have for any candidate. There are so many millions of Americans, in Kentucky and all around the country, who are struggling to pay for their healthcare, who are even dying because they can’t pay for their healthcare. This has been going on for decades now. It’s been a full decade since Bernie Sanders introduced Medicare for All as a concept. And you’ve been on board with Medicare for All since, I think, about 2019 or 2020. Is that right?

Booker

Oh, formally, yes, but before anyone would listen to me, I’ve been saying this is the route we need to go.

Skopic

And I know for you, Medicare for All is a more personal thing than it is for a lot of politicians. You think about Mitch McConnell, who you’re running to replace; he’s been in Congress for decades now, and he’s had the best health insurance money can buy. Now, I know your story is quite different, and you’ve actually experienced the kind of thing that so many Americans are dealing with. I know you’re someone who deals with Type 1 diabetes. Can you tell us a little about your past experiences having to ration diabetic supplies, and how that led you to really see Medicare for All as a necessity?

Booker

Absolutely, and what you initially said about Mr. McConnell, who I will replace, is true. He’s receiving excellent healthcare. There are a lot of questions swirling around him right now, but one thing is for certain: he’s getting the care he needs, and I just believe that every single person deserves that high-quality healthcare, because it is a human right. Medicare for All has been the answer to making sure that happens, that no one should have to pay out of their pocket to get the medicine they need to stay alive. And here in Kentucky, a lot of people don’t have any money in their pocket, and that shouldn’t be a death sentence.

And my journey as a type 1 diabetic—I never thought I’d be on national stages talking about things like this, but I’m honored to tell my story because it’s a story so many people know. Insulin is expensive, and if I don’t take it today or over the next couple of days, I wouldn’t be here. And I actually nearly lost my life trying to get groceries for my daughters. I have three girls, my bosses. I’ll do anything for them; I’ll give them my last breath. Actually, the week I launched my state house run, I only had enough money to either get a refill, because at times it’s more than the mortgage, or to get groceries for the week, and I decided to get food for my children. I stretched the little bit I had in my vial, lost consciousness, ended up in the hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis, and nearly died. And the thing that really resonated with me in that moment is I was working hard, I was praying, I was doing all the things that we say that responsible people should do, and even with working multiple jobs, it’s hard to afford healthcare in this country for a lot of people. And so when I tell that story, it’s not because I’m a Democrat; it’s because I’m a regular guy who knows that we deserve better in a country that has just allowed someone to become a trillionaire off our backs, and time is up for that. We need Medicare for All. No excuses. And we’re going to deliver it by flipping the Senate.

Skopic

And you were part of the effort during your time as a state legislator to cap the price of insulin.

Booker

Absolutely. And again, this is something that is not a partisan issue. Across Kentucky, from the hood to the holler, literally, people are demanding leadership that will show up for them. Access to healthcare has been a challenge for so many of us, and the cuts we’re seeing right now potentially closing over 30 rural hospitals, all of these things are devastating. And so I’ve been able to find a coalition of hardcore Republicans, independents, progressives, and folks across the board who know we have to do things differently, and we were able to cap co-pays here at the state level. We were also able to put a lot of provisions in place for people who run out of their medicine, can’t get a hold of a physician—it’s called Kevin’s Law—and were able to get that passed to make sure that people get the care they need. But we have to keep going. We need insulin for all, we need Medicare for All, and now’s the time to do it.

 

Skopic

We spoke recently to Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, and one of the debates that’s come up in his race, and in a lot of these races, is about Medicare for All versus a public option. So a lot of the more centrist, corporate-friendly candidates will do something a little sneaky. They’ll say, “Well, of course, we support universal health care,” but then they’ll say, “And so we need to create a public option.” And what they mean is we’re going to create a government insurance plan that you can buy, but healthcare will still be something you have to buy, the market will continue to operate the same way, and private companies will continue to be the main providers. Now, to you, why is a public option not enough compared to Medicare for All?

Booker

I believe we need solutions here, not to kick the can down the field, and what we know is, if we believe healthcare is a human right, everyone should have high-quality healthcare, whether they have enough money in their pocket or not. And the thing that I feel very personally, as a Kentuckian, is whenever we create policies that get down the field but leave cracks—they provide some progress but leave cracks. Now, let’s celebrate the progress, but at the same time, those cracks are where Kentuckians fall. Those places where we stop short of doing everything we need to do are exactly where people that are most vulnerable get hurt the most. And so I know we need bold leadership now. We are up against it as a country. We are seeing the bottom fall out for so many people, and I’m not here proposing half solutions. I’m not here offering excuses. We need Medicare for All, and everyone needs high-quality healthcare, and that is common sense to me. That is practical to me, that is rational, and it’s time to get it done.

Skopic

Yes, and you mentioned that it’s practical, and there have been studies that show that’s true—that in fact, if we switch to Medicare for All, the overall expense will be less because of all the administrative costs that have to do with private insurance. But the question that you always get from skeptics, and you’ve probably heard this, is, how will you pay for it? And I wonder, what do you say to people who have that question?

Booker

Well, we’re already paying for it. We’re just not prioritizing it. And what we know now in our politics is, when that question gets asked—I know a lot of people are concerned with the budget. We’re seeing the deficit balloon right now; we are seeing reckless management at the hands of this administration, and [Republican senate nominee] Andy Barr is supporting it every step of the way. They are giving blank checks to endless war. They are essentially destroying the government in our faces, tearing down the White House, defecating on what we hold dear as a country, our Constitution, and spending billions of dollars with no questions asked. So when we are really looking at a question of how do you pay for it, for me it’s how do you prioritize it? And now that we have leaders who are standing up for Medicare for All across the country, there is a broad bench of people who know we are not accepting excuses, and we can answer the question of how things get paid for in a very meticulous and thoughtful way. But what we won’t do is hide behind that question to say we should not move forward. Time is up for that. It’s time to take care of the people.

Skopic

Yes, and I’m glad you mentioned the endless war thing because, as you know, these two issues are intertwined. I think the cost of the Iran war, the estimate I saw a couple of months ago, was something like $25 billion. Back in the ’50s, Eisenhower, a Republican, said that every bomb dropped on another country is a theft from the American people, because it represents a hospital or a school that wasn’t built with the same funds. So I wonder, how do you look at this issue of getting America out of these needless wars and taking that money and getting it into our own communities, our own hospitals, and our own schools?

Booker

I believe this is one of the most important conversations that we have to have as a country, in terms of where we’re going. Are we going to have a democracy? Are we going to have a future where everyone can live a gainful life? And that absolutely speaks to our position on ending endless war and addressing the military-industrial complex. Now, here’s one thing that’s a fact: Donald Trump secured a lot of support in Kentucky, in large measure, because he said he was going to, yes, drain the swamp—of course he was BSing—but he also said that he was going to end endless war. He called them stupid wars. And there are a lot of service members in Kentucky. I’ve had family that have served in nearly every branch, and there are a lot of people who have put their lives on the line here in this commonwealth, and they’re seeing that all their sacrifice has really been just thrown in their faces because these conflicts are being waged.

The way that this administration, which is being rubber-stamped by Andy Barr, is taking us down a path to endless conflict, like you said, is costing billions of dollars, but also countless lives. At the same time, our infrastructure is still crumbling because a lot of the progress is being undone, and we’re seeing challenges here in healthcare and in education. For our veterans, many of whom have come back after serving this country, have had to sleep on the streets or are struggling to get the care they need. So I’m offering a vision for Kentuckians, saying that we should make the government that we pay for, that we work hard to lift up, work for us. This is not only a rational approach. I’m also listening to the people. That’s why my coalition is so broad. We have lifelong Republicans and even Trump supporters who are organizing with me. People who have never voted before are standing up with us. Organized labor. Veterans groups. And it’s because we’re fighting for the people.

Skopic

And this is something where you’ve drawn a real contrast with Andy Barr, your opponent. I have a tweet here that you made about a week ago. It was, “My feckless opponent will always support endless war in the Senate. I’ll lead to end it.” And this is something that certainly our audience cares about. We have a very strong anti-war audience. So, I want to know, can people rely on you once you get in, presumably, to be a reliable anti-war vote?

Booker

Absolutely. And this is why I’m building a campaign to show that now. This is years in the making. We’ve been on the front line with organizations, with veterans’ groups, with people who have cried out for justice, humanity, peace, and real change. So this isn’t new to me, and the reason why I’m so committed to ending endless wars is that I’ve seen the toll on so many families across Kentucky. As I said, even my own have served overseas for folks like Donald Trump, making billions of dollars perpetuating these conflicts. And the reason why I’m so frustrated and really disappointed in my opponent, Andy Barr, is that he knows better. Now, he’s trying to act as if he’s a MAGA Republican now. He’s cosplaying. He knows. He is Mitch McConnell’s protégé, and he’s trying to act like he isn’t, but he’s essentially saying he’s going to do whatever Donald Trump wants to be done. If Donald Trump wants to make another billion for his family by investing in drones and furthering endless conflicts, he’s going to make it happen. And Kentuckians, we really are hurting. This is not just a talking point. We’re struggling, man. Jobs have left and not returned. These storms have hit communities that have been hurt through the decline in the fossil fuel industry and mountaintop removal. A lot of communities are looking for investment, not chaos. And certainly, if we do believe peace is our pursuit, we cannot be funding endless war and funding the type of chaos and carnage we’re seeing around the world. It has to stop, and the rising costs that are coming as a result of it. It’s all barreling down on Kentucky. So, if you are ready to end endless war, let’s stand together and make it happen.

Skopic

I will say, one thing that is very nice is that, when we talk to either sitting politicians or to people who are running for office, one of the questions that we have consistently been asking is about the Middle East and about Gaza. And we always have to challenge them to say, “Do you recognize the opinion of the international human rights agencies that this is a genocide? Do you want to end our aid to the Israeli military?” And I will say it’s very nice that this is a question I don’t have to ask you, because it’s on your website. So I appreciate that. That wouldn’t have happened two years ago, even, for any candidate.

But I want to give you a couple of examples of recent votes that came up in the Senate. So, for example, recently there was a binding war powers resolution introduced to end hostilities with Iran. There was a non-binding one, which passed, because a couple of Republicans, I believe Kentucky’s Rand Paul, broke with the party and voted for that resolution. But then there was a binding one, which was just rejected, 47-50. So, if you are the senator for Kentucky, is a war powers resolution to end hostilities with Iran something you would have voted for?

Booker

Oh, absolutely. And I’m glad that you mentioned that Rand Paul did support it, and I’ve commended him and folks like Thomas Massie as well on the House side, because this issue isn’t partisan. But also my opponent, Andy Barr, has made it clear he’s going to block any effort to stop these conflicts, to stop this plummet into endless war, because he believes it’s his way of getting closer to a man who does not care about anyone but himself, and everybody is tired of that. I have been able to stand with bipartisan coalitions over the years because I know this truth: we have so much more in common than anything that could divide us, and one thing we have in common right now is we are all tired of seeing these endless conflicts destroying not only the world, putting our loved ones in harm’s way, but jeopardizing our safety and harming our ability to live a gainful life. Here we need to be investing at home, and this is a priority for me because Kentucky has been one of the poorest states in the country, and we’ve been one of the sickest states in the country. It’s about time we get the investment we need in the leadership that will show up for working people.

Skopic

And just one more example along the same lines: back at the end of May, Senator Tim Kaine introduced another war powers resolution. This one was to prevent the U.S. from attacking Cuba, which is something Trump has threatened. Is that something you would also support?

Booker

Absolutely. And there’s a common thread here, whether it’s Cuba or whether it’s Iran. Donald Trump has mentioned Greenland. He’s been all over the place. Ultimately, we have a reckless and out-of-control administration that wants to be a king, and we’ve seen these No Kings demonstrations across the country. Certainly, here in Kentucky, we hold fast and hold true to the fact that there are no kings in the United States of America, but that also means that we have to make sure that our leadership on the global stage is honoring humanity and upholding our pursuit of peace. That means we have to address and end the military-industrial complex and not just keep funneling money, our tax dollars, into bombs and destroying communities. We can lead on the global stage with diplomacy by strengthening relationships and building coalitions. I know it works. We know it works throughout history, and this moment requires that type of leadership. I think that’s why I’m seeing so much support come in for this campaign, and I’m honored and proud to take the stand.

Skopic

This is your third attempt at the Senate. You ran back in 2020 to try to replace McConnell when he was still active, before he announced his retirement. And in that race, I remember you ended up losing the primary to Amy McGrath, who had really emphasized her military experience, her time as a fighter pilot, in her campaign. And I remember at the time it really gave me an uncomfortable vibe, because the implication was that leadership meant leadership at waging war—it meant military leadership. And in this new race that’s just happened, you were again up against McGrath, and as we said, you won by double digits. So do you think that reflects a shift in how Americans are thinking about war and militarism, and how there is more of an anti-war energy in Kentucky and in races around the country?

Booker

In a way, I do think it reflects a shift, but more appropriately, I think it reflects that the times are catching up to where we’ve been. In 2020, when I ran in the primary, yes, we weren’t successful at the ballot box and lost by about two points. We were outspent nearly 40-to-1 at that time. It was one of the most well-funded Senate campaigns in history. Of course, with all the big money in politics, it’s a blip. But we were able to break through on the national stage because we were speaking to a reality that, while there are some who have been focused on the war strategies on the global stage, who has been leading the charge to address the battles that we’re facing here at home? The struggles and the trauma and the pain and the poverty that we’re facing here at home? And I respect Amy McGrath for her service and her sacrifice, and I also realize that we need a message that speaks to where people are now. And while I am proud to be the nominee, I’m also even more proud to say that we’re standing in truth, in the power of community, and the power of coalitions at a time when there’s so much division. It’s not about the stereotypes of what or who is electable; it is about who’s meeting the moment, and my vision for working people with the Working People’s Bill of Rights is exactly what this moment requires.

Skopic

You say that people have finally caught up to the times and have finally caught up to what’s going on in Kentucky. I feel like Kentucky is a state that—and this is a failing of our profession in the media—is not often the subject of national media stories. People don’t necessarily know a lot about the internal politics of Kentucky, and there’s this image on the national stage that Kentucky is a red state. There hasn’t been a Democratic senator from Kentucky for over 20 years. McConnell has dominated the state. What do you think the national media and the national conversation miss about Kentucky when they write it off as just solely red?

Booker

I think on the national stage, and we see it broadly, what gets missed are the people. A lot of folks who don’t have platforms, who are in the forgotten places, as I say, and that’s where “hood to the holler” came from for me. And we’ve been demanding change; we’ve been demanding progress. No one was listening. I see this moment as such a powerful opportunity for us to tell a new story because Kentucky is not a red state; it’s a marginalized state, a disenfranchised state, a forgotten state, and we ignore places like Kentucky to our collective detriment. Ignoring places like Kentucky is how we got a Donald Trump, and honestly, how you get a Mitch McConnell who’s been screwing us my entire life, literally. And I see this as a chance to show that our coalition, what we’re building, is one of the most dynamic political coalitions in modern history, having hardcore Republicans, rural folks, urban folks, lifelong Democrats, disenchanted folks, and independents that are all coming together to say that we need real change. Not only will this race mean that we replace Mitch McConnell with a fighter for working people and flip the U.S. Senate, but it’ll also reflect that we’re not giving up on democracy, man. We’re not giving up on the pursuit of ending generational poverty. And I’m just proud—I really am proud to be a part of this, and I’m asking everyone who is in your viewership and listenership, please join us. This is the type of race we need to invest in across the country. Let’s win in Kentucky and keep building.

 

Skopic

Another thing that you’ll hear said a lot about progressive candidates, in particular, and about policies like Medicare for All, is, “Well, that might work in New York City with Mamdani, or that might work in Vermont with Bernie Sanders, but it can’t work in red states like Kentucky, South Carolina, or Nebraska.” Why do you think that’s mistaken?

Booker

Well, I think we are way too reductive in how we see the challenges that people are facing, and again, we’re not listening to the people. A lot of the folks in Kentucky who voted for Donald Trump voted for Bernie Sanders. A lot of people who are lifelong Republicans voted for Andy Beshear. We have a Democratic governor now, so it isn’t about the labels; it’s about delivering for the people. I’ve been called a whole lot of things, and of course, my opponent, Andy Barr, wants to fearmonger and use any progressive label to demean or disrespect the fact that we’re fighting for working people. I don’t care about the labels. For me, this is about how we make the government we pay for work for us. How do we make sure the basic needs are met, that everyone can thrive and be prosperous and be healthy in the wealthiest country in the world? How can we make sure that democracy is secure so everyone can be heard, that our communities can be safe, no matter what faith you practice or what your pronoun is, whether you walk or use a wheelchair? Can you be okay? And it is a very simple message, but it’s one that has been so long overdue. Flipping the U.S. Senate and leading to make sure that we hold this administration accountable, that we clean house, and that we lift up a vision for working people is not only what this moment requires; it is how we’re going to win a better future for our country and beyond.

Skopic

And you mentioned a couple of times that your slogan is “from the hood to the holler,” and it’s a great slogan. I believe you titled your book that too. Could you explain a little what that means?

 

 

Booker’s 2022 memoir

 

Booker

Yeah, so “hood to the holler” is a rallying cry, man. It’s a declaration that people from seemingly disconnected communities understand our might and our strength when we lock arms together, that we won’t be pushed to the margins and ignored anymore, that our hard work won’t be disregarded, and that our faith and love and action won’t be disrespected by the corruption in government. It’s the heart of the spirit of the Rainbow Coalition. It really is a declaration that we’re building a new style of politics that speaks to issues. My insulin, as I always say—my type 1 diabetes—doesn’t care about my party registration, and the water that comes out of my faucet doesn’t care what label national pundits want to throw at me. We need real results, and because we’ve been organizing in communities using storytelling, using mutual aid, and taking direct action on issues that people care about, what’s pissing them off, we’ve been able to build trust, and we’re building community. And it’s going to, of course, result in electoral victories, but it’s creating a new wave of people engaging the democratic process at the local, state, and federal levels. Citizen lobbyists, this is how we change things. And I took some notes from Mitch McConnell, to be honest with you, and we’re building infrastructure that can withstand and allow us to make history this year.

Skopic

When you say you’ve taken notes from McConnell, what do you mean by that? What do you see as the keys to his power over the years that people with maybe a better agenda can learn from?

Booker

Mitch McConnell was a coalition builder. Now, this man has forgotten Kentucky a long time ago. The Mitch McConnell that was elected when I was a baby would likely be called a raging progressive now. He supported organized labor and women’s rights. Over the span of his tenure, Democrats were in leadership in each chamber and held the constitutional offices. But one of the things that he did in Kentucky is something important. He went around Kentucky in communities that were forgotten about and started investing, started showing up, helping drive resources to areas that had long been forgotten about. And so he built support over the years, and he built a base of people that were mobilizing and ultimately helped him become one of the most powerful men in politics in this country. Building coalitions still works. We just need leaders who will do it for our collective benefit and not to hoard power. To me, the power belongs to the people. That’s why we need term limits. It’s why we need people who are not going there to get rich. Members of Congress should not be making money off stocks while they’re in office. These are very common-sense policies that I hold, because I know that if we lean into these coalitions, we really can change things. And so thanks, Mitch, and I’m happy to replace you and stand up for working people now, because we’re tired of being sold out. Andy Barr wants to continue selling us out, and we’re done with it.

Skopic

Yes, and I know you’ve mentioned in the past—I was looking through your back catalog of interviews, and you had one with your local Fox station a few weeks back, where you mentioned you’ve been canvassing all around Kentucky. In the past races, I know you’ve done really well in the blue dots on the map. You’ve carried Lexington and Louisville pretty solidly, and then McConnell or Rand Paul carried the rest of the state. So in this race, it sounds like you’re focusing a lot on the rural areas. You mentioned that when you go into these areas, you’ve been knocking on doors, and you’ve been talking to people who maybe have a Trump flag in their yard, maybe even a Confederate flag in their yard. What are the conversations that you’ve been having with those people?

Booker

One of the reasons why this race is so important, and why we’re going to win and why the country definitely should not only be watching what we’re doing here but investing in it, is we are honestly building the types of coalitions that can transform democracy and help move our country forward. Because when I’m in those spaces with Confederate flags in the yards, Black jockey figurines in the front yard, and the Trump signs everywhere, I find family. I found people who are concerned about their utility costs and the cost of groceries. Folks really did want the swamp to be drained. Mitch McConnell has been the swamp. We have seen the corruption. We have seen these large industries, like the fossil fuel companies, that have really hurt a lot of communities, made their money, and then left us high and dry. They’ve been looking for people who will stand up. That’s why we’ve had a Rand Paul, a Thomas Massie, and then, as I said, Governor Andy Beshear, just people who are showing that they care and will fight back. Now, that has been exploited, and that’s what we’ve seen with politicians like Donald Trump and certainly Andy Barr, who’s trying to cosplay as if he is a hardcore MAGA Republican. They’re trying to present as if they care about working people, but everyone sees through it now. But we really are just looking for someone who will stand up for us. These are working people, a lot of folks in organized labor across Kentucky, and because I have lifted up a consistent message over the years about why I’m fighting for them, they’re standing with me. I’m proud that we will win a race where we know we’ll be outspent. We’re seeing the hate and the bigotry. The old playbook is being thrown at us now, but we’re standing as family, standing in love and humanity, and fighting for real change. And as I said, man, the world needs to see this.

Skopic

Kentucky is interesting in that way. You mentioned some of the Republican figures that your state has thrown up, and it’s Rand Paul and Thomas Massie. And although they are Republicans, and although they vote with the GOP most of the time, they are sometimes skeptical of war or things like surveillance and the power of the intelligence agencies. You had another post recently where you said, “If you’re pissed off about Thomas Massie being defeated by $35 million in bad money and truly want to drain the swamp, this campaign is for you.” So why do you think that brand of maybe more libertarian voter, someone who likes Thomas Massie, would be interested in you?

Booker

Well, I’m committed to getting the government out of our way. I think there’s a unifying point there of how do we make sure that everyone can live a good life without the government barreling down on them, stepping on their rights, or blocking their progress. But I just happen to tell the rest of the story. Making sure that everyone has high-quality healthcare is how we help get the government out of our way. Making sure that we’re raising wages instead of funneling all of our money into deals with Elon Musk is how we get the government out of our way. Making sure that people like Mitch McConnell and Andy Barr aren’t getting rich while they’re in office, and instead investing in the people, is how we get the government out of our way. Protecting human rights is how we get the government out of our way. So there is a space where we do agree, and I think people seeing that I’m authentic in my message, that I really do believe in what I’m standing for, is allowing me to build trust, because we don’t have to agree on everything; that’s not even a real concept. If someone says they agree with you on everything, somebody’s lying. But at least people know where I stand, they know what I’m fighting for, and I’m proud of that. And look, I disagree with Rand Paul so much. I ran against him, but we do have some common bonds. He spoke up against hiding the Epstein files. So have I. He stood up to say we shouldn’t continue to go into these endless wars. So have I. And if you’re looking to fight for Kentucky—Democrat, Republican, or independent—you’ll find a partner in me, and I know that’s what this one requires.

Skopic

Your opponent, though, Andy Barr, has really taken the opposite path. There’s a report from February in the Kentucky Lantern that said that he has run “the most overtly racist statewide campaign we can remember in Kentucky.” In a TV ad, he said DEI—meaning diversity, equity and inclusion—really stood for “dumb, evil indoctrination”; one of his slogans in that same ad was “it’s not a sin to be white.” What’s your reaction when you see a politician like Barr stoop to that kind of racial rhetoric, and how does that obscure the real issues?

Booker

Yes, it’s sad. This is exactly why a lot of people have thrown their hands up with politics and have just said, “What is the point? I’m just going to focus on working and surviving because it’s a mess.” He’s reflecting complete chaos, and it is this old, tired Jim Crow 1930s playbook. And the thing that is most frustrating for a lot of people across Kentucky, and why he’s losing so much support and we’re in a position to win this, is people know he knows better. Andy Barr has been considered a moderate Republican; he has flip-flopped on every single issue, and now he’s trying to act as if he is a hardcore Trump supporter, and it’s phony. He’s like that sweaty car salesman that’s trying to sell a lemon; you know it’s a lemon, he knows it’s a lemon, and he’s hoping that you just let him get away with it. We’re not letting him get away with it. He has not delivered anything for the people of Kentucky while he’s been in Congress, and he’s asking for a promotion. There is no merit in that. He is essentially saying he wants to be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump at a time when we are being screwed at every angle, at every turn. There’s no time for that. And this campaign that I’m lifting up is genuinely about results. It is about working people. It is about meeting you where you are and making sure you have more money in your pocket and that your voices and your rights are protected. He’s trying to sow hate and fear, and we’re going to beat them handily, because we know time is up for that. It’s time for real change, and we’re going to get it. We’re going to replace Mitch McConnell by retiring this madman and this phony Trump wannabe. We’re done with that.

Skopic

And on the subject of fake Kentuckians, I’ve just got to ask. Another person who has really traded on the image of Kentucky, and I see you know who I’m talking about, is our vice president, JD Vance. He has sold this whole book, Hillbilly Elegy. What do you think of when you see this man paint himself as this son of the Kentucky working class?

Booker

JD Vance is a joke. It hurts because he’s profiting off our pain, off our story of surviving through the hard times, of seeing difficulty, and having and leaning in the faith to get through it. He doesn’t see us, and he doesn’t care about us. He’s trying to get power, he’s trying to get rich, and he’ll use any storyline to do it. We’re done with that. We’re done being mocked, we’re done being disrespected, we’re done being placated, or told that we don’t deserve better. We are hardworking, but we shouldn’t have to work multiple jobs just to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads while people like Elon Musk become trillionaires. JD Vance is someone who will do everything to help make that happen, and Andy Barr has shown he will be a rubber stamp every step of the way. We’re done with cowards. We’re done being sold out. It’s our time to take our power back.

 

Skopic

Another part of your platform that’s been very strong is the labor part. You have a thing about union rights and about wages. I know in Kentucky, right now, there’s a place called Hardin County, the Battery Belt, where people are working in the battery plants, and they don’t know if their jobs are going to stay, because the Trump administration is now trying to get rid of anything to do with green energy. So if you are the senator from Kentucky, what is your plan, and what will you do for labor?

Booker

This is why I centered my whole platform around the Working People’s Bill of Rights. To me, organized labor is at the heart of the movement for progress. It was at the heart of the movement for civil rights. It’s how we have so many protections now. And we need leaders who will stand up in the halls of government, but also on the picket line, in the streets, if need be. And that is exactly who I am, and that’s why so many in organized labor have endorsed me. Our statewide AFL has endorsed. I was just with our steelworkers and Teamsters yesterday. They’re all getting off the sideline to get behind me because they know we need leaders who will fight for working people, who will protect organized labor, who will make sure that we have true living wages, that our benefits are secured, that folks aren’t having to sacrifice to make sure they get healthcare. We’re seeing so much corruption where these industries have used folks like Mitch McConnell to sell us out over and over again, and now in the way of AI, where we’re seeing whole industries being either replaced or completely transformed. We need to protect jobs. We have to protect working people, and I am committed to doing that. I will be the vote to strengthen unions. I will be the vote to raise wages to true living wages. I will be the vote to make sure that working people in Kentucky are protected, and I put that on every breath I take. And it’s because this moment is so important. I’m proud to see all the support that’s standing up with us now. We’re going to win a race rooted in working people. How about that?

Skopic

If, for example, the PRO Act (Protecting the Right to Organize) comes up for a vote, are you on board for that?

Booker

Absolutely, I’ve been advocating for the PRO Act. There’s a faster labor contracts piece of legislation that’s been moving to make sure that when unions are going through their process, they’re not being stalled out by corporations. I’m certainly in support of that. We need to make sure working people are on the National Labor Relations Board. I’m going to fight to make sure that happens. We have to make sure that working people are protected, and there’s no other way around it. And I launched this campaign, even saying that working people have to be ready to fight back, even if it means a general strike. We need to use our collective power to lead for the future we need, and it requires organized labor at the heartbeat.

Skopic

Well, I can’t think of a better note to end on than that. So, just as we wrap up here, is there anything else you would like people to know? Where can people get more information about you and your race?

Booker

I’m excited to tell my testimony. I’m a preacher’s kid. Both my parents are ministers, and when you have a testimony, you have to tell it. This race is one of the most winnable and flippable races in the country because of what we’ve been doing for years. This is not just showing up at election time; we’ve been organizing when the cameras weren’t around, and we need people around the country to know this is a race worth investing in. Go to CharlesBooker.org to make a contribution and sign up to volunteer. Help us tell the story. Because if we win in Kentucky, when we win in Kentucky, we will flip the US Senate, and we need to do that right now.

Transcript edited by Patrick Farnsworth.