FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2020
Contact: Kenny Palmer | press@indivisible.org
Washington, DC — Today, Indivisible announced its endorsement of Kentucky State Representative Charles Booker in the Kentucky Democratic Primary race for US Senate. The winner of the primary will go on to face Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the general election, a top priority in this cycle’s battle for control of the Senate.
“Charles Booker is the right candidate to meet this moment because he has a vision for a better Kentucky, where workers can earn a living wage, where healthcare is a human right, and where generational poverty is eliminated,” said Lucy Solomon, IE Political Director for Indivisible. “In the midst of a global pandemic and nationwide protests against racial injustice, we need a nominee who leads with moral clarity and who won't compromise their values when taking the fight to Mitch McConnell in November.”
Defeating Mitch McConnell has been a top priority for Democrats for decades. As Senate Majority Leader, McConnell has tabled hundreds of bills passed by the House of Representatives, proudly calling himself the “grim reaper” of progressive legislation. Democrats need a candidate who stands for everything Mitch McConnell opposes – not one who has publicly stated that she looks forward to working with President Trump.
The historic nature of Charles Booker’s candidacy cannot be overstated. As the youngest Black legislator in the Kentucky House of Representatives in 90 years, Charles has championed progressive legislation on voting rights, labor laws, and racial justice. In the wake of Breonna Taylor’s murder at the hands of police, Charles has been a leading voice demanding justice and uniting those who are ready to see transformative change. Booker is ready to fight for all Kentuckians – white, Black, and brown – and take a stand for the justice and humanity of everyone in Kentucky.
“We admire Representative Booker’s extensive experience fighting for Kentuckians, his policy commitments, and his approach to reaching out across the Commonwealth,” said Charlotta Bright Norby of Indivisible Danville. “We believe he is the right candidate to represent Kentucky in the Senate, and that he is the candidate who can put together the coalition of voters needed to win in November.”
Groups in Kentucky have been eager to defeat McGrath for the nomination, and have been working diligently to support the candidacy of two progressive challengers, Booker and Mike Broihier. Following the groundswell of progressive support for Booker, and after surveying the Indivisible movement in Kentucky, the national organization is thrilled to throw its weight behind Booker ahead of the June 23rd primary.
To earn Indivisible’s national endorsement, Booker cleared a tough three-stage process that culminated in a head-to-head vote between Booker and Broihier where Booker garnered 67% support from the Indivisible movement in Kentucky. All endorsed candidates must have a strong progressive platform aligned with our movement’s values and the enthusiastic support of informed energized voters in their district.
Indivisible Danville, located in Boyle County, is the locally-led progressive grassroots group responsible for nominating Charles Booker for Indivisible’s national endorsement. To learn more about their work, future events, and their endorsement process, please contact:
Indivisible Danville
Charlotta Bright Norby
charlotta58@gmail.com
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ABOUT THE INDIVISIBLE ACTION
Indivisible Action is a Hybrid Political Action Committee fueled by the grassroots movement to win elections and build local, independent progressive power nationwide. Indivisible Action provides Indivisible groups access to voter contact software, along with a suite of canvassing, phonebanking, and texting tools in support of progressive candidates. Indivisible Action also makes endorsements of federal and gubernatorial candidates nominated by their local Indivisible groups, vetted by our political team, and voted on by our supporters in the states and districts the candidate wishes to represent.