Gov. Andy Beshear backs Charles Booker in Kentucky Senate bid vs. Rand Paul

Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday publicly backed fellow Democrat Charles Booker, who's running a longshot campaign to defeat Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul this November.

“Charles Booker has my full endorsement," Kentucky's governor said in a statement. "Kentuckians deserve a senator that fights for good jobs, access to high quality, affordable healthcare and is a champion for public education.

"Further, Kentuckians deserve a senator who understands the power of our common bonds, and knows that we are stronger when we stand together."

Booker, the Democratic Party's first Black nominee for U.S. Senate in the Bluegrass State, announced the news for his campaign in a press release Thursday afternoon.

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Earlier this week, Beshear threw his support behind another Kentucky Democrat running for Congress, too: Matt Lehman, who's striving to defeat Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie.

The governor endorsed Lehman in person Tuesday. They met for coffee in Covington and made the announcement.

"Matt is a good man with the character and know-how to responsibly serve as the next congressman from Kentucky's 4th District," Beshear said of Lehman in a statement. "Despite a global pandemic and multiple natural disasters, our commonwealth is booming with economic activity. But we need representatives in D.C. that will take the job seriously to continue our progress."

The governor likewise emphasized the recent crises Kentucky has gone through in his endorsement of Booker.

"Devastating floods, unprecedented tornadoes, and a crushing pandemic. I am proud of the resilience, compassion, and determination the people of Kentucky have shown in these hard times, and I know we need a United States senator who will stand in the gap and fight by our side," he said. "Charles has proven this type of leadership over the years..."

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Booker announced the endorsements of a few other notable Kentucky Democrats on Thursday too, including former Govs. Martha Layne Collins and Paul Patton.

"My priority as a Kentuckian, and certainly as the next senator for our commonwealth, is to build coalitions at every level that will help us secure life, freedom and prosperity for all of our families," he said in Thursday's press release. "I am grateful that these proven leaders believe in our potential to win the future, and have expressed their support for our campaign. Our momentum is real, our campaign is growing, and in November, we will retire Rand Paul."

Morgan Watkins is The Courier Journal's chief political reporter. Contact her at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Gov. Andy Beshear endorses Charles Booker in Senate bid vs. Rand Paul