President Barack Obama Endorses Charles Booker for U.S. Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Contact: press@charlesbookerky.org

LOUISVILLE, KY — Former President Barack Obama endorsed Charles Booker for U.S. Senate today as momentum reaches a fever pitch in Kentucky’s closely-watched U.S. Senate race to replace Mitch McConnell.

As momentum continues to build and get stronger in the final days, a number of high-profile national leaders have thrown their support behind Booker’s candidacy, as they see an opportunity to back a Senate candidate who is committed to putting common sense over corruption, people over politics, and finally moving past the era of McConnell’s leadership.

“I’m proud to support Charles Booker for the U.S. Senate,” said President Barack Obama. “Charles cares deeply about the people of Kentucky, and by sending him to Washington, working families across the Commonwealth would have a leader who understands their struggles and has what it takes to make real change."

President Obama tops an esteemed list of leaders endorsing Charles Booker’s candidacy. Earlier this week, Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL), Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD), Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY), former Kentucky Governors Steve Beshear, and Paul Patton all expressed their support. U.S. Senators including Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) also announced their endorsements. Several current and former members of the U.S. House of Representatives have endorsed Booker, including Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), and former Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY).

“I’m humbled and honored to have such widespread support across both Kentucky and the country. People are seeing the movement we’ve started here, one that puts improving the lives of the people above all else, and they want to be a part of it,” said Charles Booker.

“Charles Booker has delivered a clear, powerful message across the Commonwealth: Kentuckians deserve leadership that puts people over politics,” said Kamau Marshall, Chief Strategist for Booker for the Commonwealth. “He’s building a broad coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents, and President Obama’s support adds momentum at a critical moment in this race.”

With just two days until Election Day, Booker will continue connecting with voters on his statewide Kentucky Over Politics tour, further expanding the grassroots support that helped him achieve such broad national support. It is clear Booker’s message of common sense over corruption, people over politics, and Kentucky first is resonating.

Registered Democrats are turning out in droves during Kentucky’s short early voting window. In a complete reversal of recent elections, registered Democrats are outvoting registered Republicans, making it clear that Kentucky Democrats are fired up and getting out the vote, but this campaign is built on a broad coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Support is clearly growing for Charles Booker as Kentucky is ready to replace Mitch McConnell with a leader who fights for them every single day in Washington. As we approach the final hours of this election season, it is clear that Kentucky very much is in play and could deliver Booker to the U.S. Senate when the final results are tallied.

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