Kentucky Senate
Mitch McConnell (R) is not running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it safe Republican.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Andy Barr
Republican · in the House today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 120 of 124 votes and bills.
Raised $12,541,350 since January 2025: 55% from people, 24% transfers and other income, 20% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Charles Booker
Democrat · former kentucky state representative from louisville
FLiberty Score F29 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Booker has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Booker.
Raised $1,936,324 since January 2025: 98% from people, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Andy Barr. Andy Barr: A, 97 out of 100 from recorded votes. Charles Booker: F, 29 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Kentucky: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Charles Booker, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Booker, so the grade above comes from this list: what Booker has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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His platform says he will back a war powers resolution ending funding for the war in Iran and bringing troops home.
“On day one, I will join my colleagues in supporting a war powers resolution that will end funding for the war in Iran, bring our troops home, and cut the costs at the pump for Kentuckians.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A war powers limit aimed at stopping action against Iran is the against side of this measure.
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His platform proposes ending annual US aid to Israel and suspending arms sales until a two-state solution is in place.
“On day one, I will introduce a proposal to terminate our annual commitment to Israel that sends nearly $4 billion in foreign aid, and to suspend future military spending and arms sales until a two-state solution is enacted.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting off weapons and aid to Israel is the against side of this measure.
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His platform calls blanket tariffs hidden taxes and pledges a resolution to end the emergency used to raise them.
“Blanket tariffs fueling trade wars are hidden taxes.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is the with side of this measure.
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His platform proposes suspending the federal gas tax for a year.
“Suspending the federal gas tax for a year to give Kentuckians immediate relief at the pump.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting a named tax is the with side of this measure.
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His platform proposes capping US drug prices by tying them to what drug makers charge in other countries.
“setting upper limits on what pharmaceutical companies can charge by tying U.S. drug prices to the prices pharmaceutical companies charge in other countries, like Canada.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Price controls are the against side of this measure.
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His platform says he will support a strong military alongside diplomacy and alliances, without naming a budget.
“I will support a strong military alongside effective diplomacy, intelligence, cybersecurity, key alliances, and secure critical supply chains.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Support for a strong military with no funding level named does not settle this measure.
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Wrote that ICE needs to be abolished, as reported on the day he launched his Senate run.
“ICE really does need to be abolished.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is on the against side of the migration measure.
Also on the ballot
Christopher Campbell (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
Kentucky Senate
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