In his campaign for U.S. Senate, Kentucky Democratic candidate Charles Booker made a pit stop in Murray to give an address igniting people’s hope for a blue win in a red state.  

The Calloway County Democrats hosted a fish fry benefit on Friday, Oct. 14 at The Grove in Murray. Booker, who was in Madisonville, Kentucky, that morning, stopped in Murray that evening to talk with his followers and supporters, as voting season is right around the corner. 

Booker is going against incumbent Republican candidate Rand Paul. In his address, Booker talks about winning as something that is possible and not something that his followers should be wishing for but expecting.  

In regards to past Democratic losses in Kentucky, Booker said he understands why people may have a cynical outlook on this upcoming election.

“Push through the cynicism,” Booker said. ”Push through any sense of apathy. We don’t have to accept things being this way. We shouldn’t have to go through generations of poverty, family farmers getting choked out, both losing their livelihoods. We don’t have to deal with a system where we don’t get quality health care.”

Beyond talking about bringing people together, Booker also reiterated his stance on important issues. He talked about his own experiences living under the shortcomings of healthcare. 

Booker is a Type 1 diabetic and said he has had to ration his insulin because of the price in order to care for his children. 

“When I go across Kentucky, I might be the only registered Democrat, but I talk about the fact that no one should choose between their medicine and putting food on the table,” Booker said. “This isn’t a radical or crazy policy.” 

Beyond the motivational words, Booker thanked his supporters and those planning on bubbling in the box next to his name. 

“Thank you for giving me the chance to represent you,” Booker said. “Thank you for believing enough in me that you would want to send me to Washington in that mess. Let’s win this and make history together.”

Booker received a standing ovation following his address, and before he went back on the road, The News had the opportunity to talk with him further about issues that are affecting college-aged students, as well as issues western Kentucky is confronting.

Parts of western Kentucky were destroyed by an EF-4 tornado on Dec. 10 2021, and are still well under recovery, along with parts of eastern Kentucky that fell victim to flooding in late July. Making sure communities are better equipped to respond to natural crises is a part of Booker’s platform.

Booker cited the Kentucky New Deal, which focuses on lifting up poverty-stricken areas in Kentucky and will also focus on natural disaster security. 

“A lot of the challenges in west Kentucky, similar to eastern Kentucky, are these were areas that were already struggling,” Booker said. “[In] a lot of areas, the infrastructure was already bad and investing in addressing disaster relief is really big.”

More geared toward college students and graduates, student loan forgiveness and college tuition prices are both highly contested along party lines.

Booker said himself and his wife both have six-figures worth of student loans they are paying back.

“A college degree is essentially the equivalent of a high school diploma, and we have to break these barriers down if we want to end poverty,” Booker said. “I do believe college should be free, and I also believe that we need to cancel student debt.”

Booker further said opposing student debt relief is essentially denying fair opportunities to those who come from poverty level or lower class backgrounds. 

Beyond repaying student loans, employment is also on the mind of many college students. Booker said he wants to see people being paid fairly for the work they do. 

“It’s really a slap in the face that we haven’t done the job of making sure that hard working people are getting paid for the work that they put in,” Booker said. “We’re seeing corporations make record breaking profits, so the minimum of the conversation is raising the wage to a living wage.”

Aside from his stance on multiple issues, Booker wants to see more voters. 

“[We can] absolutely win this race, and not just this race, we can win across the board because in a lot of elections, most folks don’t vote,” Booker said. “And I want a lot of our young leaders, students to know that voice does make a difference.”

Murray State’s College Democrats were also in attendance at Booker’s address and expressed gratitude for him taking time to come to a smaller town like Murray, Kentucky. 

Senior Jake Hicks, president of College Democrats, appreciates that Booker made time to visit Murray.

“It gave me hope for the future and our community,” Hicks said. “People with progressive beliefs can easily feel isolated in a community like Murray where statistically it is largely Republican, but…Booker brought us together.”

Hicks said Booker’s platform aligns very much with his own beliefs. 

“As a nursing major, I am passionate about healthcare and am in support of increasing access to quality and affordable healthcare,” Hicks said.

Being the leader of a politically geared organization, Hicks said the College Democrats focus on making sure people show up to the polls, especially those in the young voter demographic. 

Hicks said the organization is planning to host a march to the CFSB Center polling place on election day to celebrate the polls opening as well as to welcome and encourage other students to vote. 

“Now more than ever, we need voter turnout,” Hicks. “Go in with an open mind and vote with passion—for people, community and future. The well-being of countless lives are dependent on these votes.”

Senior Libby Gerdes serves as the vice president of College Democrats and they too believe there needs to be a bigger focus on getting to the polls since students will not have the day off. 

“Come election day, we won’t get off,” Gerdes said. “Our classes aren’t canceled. Work isn’t canceled. It’s basically like a regular day,  which is unfortunate for busy people.”

Gerdes said there is not equal privilege for everyone to practice their right to vote and expressed her concern for the college population having their votes count.

“I’m especially worried…for college students who may want abortion to be legal and think Booker sounds like a good candidate but struggle to find time to vote,” Gerdes said. 

Beyond Booker’s name being on the ballot, there will also be the chance to vote for Amendment 2, which denies the right to an abortion or abortion funding in Kentucky. 

Senior Cross Berry is the media and marketing coordinator for College Democrats and said it is important for people to vote no for Amendment 2. 

“Amendment 2 is a very confusing read,” Berry said. “I feel like that’s going to be tricky [for] a lot of people to vote on, so it’s also very important to help people find the right way to vote on that.”

Because people’s bodily autonomy is on the ballot, Berry said this is the time for people to really tune into what is at stake in this election.

“People shouldn’t sweep what is happening under the rug when it’s something that affects them so deeply,” Berry said. “If we don’t let our voice be heard, then the older generation that is all voting will have the predominant voice.”

Election day is Nov. 8 for those who are registered. Voting precincts can be found at elect.ky.gov.

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