Jun 30, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Amy McGrath wins Kentucky Democratic Senate primary

Ursula Perano

Retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath defeated state Rep. Charles Booker in the race for Kentucky's Democratic Senate nomination, AP announced Tuesday.

Why it matters: McGrath was deemed an establishment favorite until Booker's progressive candidacy surged following national Black Lives Matter protests.

Booker racked up a number of high-profile endorsements, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and former HUD Secretary Julián Castro.
Kentucky continues to deal with the fallout from the March police killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, and Booker has actively engaged with demonstrations calling for justice.

The big picture: McGrath garnered national attention in 2018 when she ran against Rep. Andy Barr (R) in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, but she ultimately lost by about 10,000 votes.

She will now take on incumbent Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November in what's likely to be an expensive race as fundraising machines for both parties gear up.
However, McConnell is still the prohibitive favorite. Cook Political Report rates the race as "likely Republican."

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Amy McGrath wins Kentucky Democratic Senate primary

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