McGrath Wins KY Democratic Primary; Will Face Mitch McConnell

McGrath was declared the winner over Charles Booker on Tuesday.

Amy McGrath. File photo.

(Frankfort, Ky.) - The person that will challenge Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been decided. 

It took a week but Amy McGrath has been declared the winner of Kentucky's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. McGrath defeated progressive Charles Booker by a little more than 15,000 votes. 

More than 544,000 votes were cast in the Democratic primary. The delay in declaring a winner was caused by the narrow margin and an excess of mail-in ballots amid COVID-19 concerns. 

"I'm humbled that KY Democrats have nominated me to take on Mitch McConnell in November, and I can't wait to get started to send him into retirement, McGrath said in a Twitter post. "Thank you to this team. Without you, we wouldn’t be getting ready to give Mitch the fight of his political life."

McGrath thanked both Charles Booker and Mike Broihier for stepping up and running the race. Specifically, McGrath commended Booker for continuing to fight systemic racism and injustice and rightfully demanding long-overdue action and accountability from our government & institutions.

"Our system isn’t working for everyday Kentuckians, and we need officials who have the courage to meaningfully tackle the legal, educational and health inequities that continue to prevent true racial and socio-economic equality," McGrath said. "That’s the kind of senator I intend to be."

Considering McGrath's narrow victory over Booker, McGrath has already reached out to Booker supporters to help her defeat McConnell this November. 

"The only way to overcome these odds is by building something bigger than just one candidate," said McGrath. "I will work hard to earn the trust and support of all Kentuckians, including those who voted for someone else last week. There is far too much at stake, and it’s on all of us to fight for it. Last November, Kentuckians didn’t hesitate to replace an incompetent and unpopular incumbent. This November, we’re going to do it again. Now, let’s go win this thing."

McConnell, who has been a right-hand man for President Trump, had no problem winning the GOP primary. He is seeking his seventh term.