Kentucky primary sets the stage for Senate battle this fall

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) will face former Kentucky Representative Charles Booker this fall in the race for Senate.

Paul is the presumed winner of the Republican primary.

Booker is the presumed winner of the Democratic primary.

“Kentucky isn’t really a red state. We’re a disenfranchised, marginalized, and often ignored and abandoned state,” said Booker.

Booker envisions a Kentucky new deal focused on healthcare infrastructure and ending generational poverty.

“To be able to speak to the struggles that really are bigger than partisan divides and also to call out the hate and racism that has been weaponized to drive us apart,” he said.

Paul, who is seeking his third term in the Senate, recognizes many Kentucky families are struggling.

He is running a campaign on a message of limited government and curbed spending. Paul believes government spending has led to the increased prices and inflation.

“I think most people instinctively know that nothing really in life is free. You’re going to have to pay for it with hard work. Right now we’re paying for it through inflation and it could get much worse,” said Paul.

He added, “People come from government and they say, we will give you checks. Here’s $1,400. Here’s a check. You know, we’re going to take care of you. But what they don’t tell you is the penalty for that or the price for that is inflation.”

The stage is set for a @RandPaul vs @Booker4KY battle for Senate. Both are the presumed winners of their primaries. Both have name recognition. I spoke to them before the primary about their message to voters. #kentucky #ElectionDay @graydc https://t.co/OJUsTJil5q pic.twitter.com/lLnQGYw5T5
— Jamie Bittner (@JamieReports) May 18, 2022

University of Kentucky political expert, D. Stephen Voss, said the economy is almost always a main issue for voters in every election.

“Kentucky voters tend to be fairly moderate on economic issues including Kentucky republicans. They tend to be very conservative on social issues,” said Voss.

Voss noted name recognition doesn’t matter as much in U.S. Senate races. He believes campaigns are well funded and well advertised. So, by the general election on Nov. 8, voters will likely know both the winning Republican and winning Democratic candidates very well.

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