LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Democrat Charles Booker and Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr are running for the Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell. The candidates addressed several issues voters have raised, including the cost of living, license plate readers, and child safety.About the raceBooker is making his third run for Senate. He is trying to flip a Kentucky Senate seat to Democrats for the first time since 1999.Barr, a Lexington native, flipped Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District to Republicans in 2012. He started his first term in 2013.Cost of livingMost Americans are concerned about high costs, regardless of party. Gas prices have reached record highs, and inflation is at 3.7%, with Americans paying an average of $600 more per month than they did three years ago.Barr said he has been working on solutions while in the House.“Supply, supply, supply. Supply of energy, and specifically on gas prices, obviously finishing the war, opening up the Strait of Hormuz is a very short-term solution,” Barr said. “An intermediate but also kind of short-term solution is passing the bill I voted for, another bipartisan bill to provide for year-round nationwide E15.”Booker said that if elected, he will introduce a joint resolution revoking the Trump administration’s emergency declaration used to “launch trade wars and jack up costs for Kentuckians.”“My Kentucky First agenda is about investing in us, supporting our small businesses, bringing down the prices,” Booker said. “I mentioned gas and groceries that are going through the roof now. Gas was $2.80 before this mess with Iran and these devastating tariffs, now it’s over $3.”Flock camerasFlock cameras have become a controversial topic in many communities. Several Kentucky cities have ended their use of the automated license plate readers as constituents voice concerns over privacy.Booker addressed the issue during WKYT’s U.S. Senate debate. “I hear the people of Kentucky who are very concerned, and we have to stand against the use of mass surveillance, the way that communities are being preyed upon,” Booker said. “I know that law enforcement needs tools to do their jobs, but we have to make sure that the rights and liberties of Kentuckians are protected.”Barr also believes protections are necessary. “We obviously need guardrails. And I think we can protect Americans’ privacy without sacrificing security,” Barr said. “We need guardrails to make sure that data from a flock camera is expunged after awhile or deleted.”McConnell’s seatThe race only exists because McConnell announced he is not running for re-election.Booker pointed out that McConnell has been in office for his entire life and he believes it is time for a change in Washington.“We are taking this seat back for the people of Kentucky. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. And I know that because we’re speaking up, that’s why the momentum is growing,” Booker said. “That’s why people who voted for Trump are organizing with me. People who’ve never voted before are organizing with me because this is our chance to do something different and finally drain the swamp.”Barr said he has respect for McConnell, but he’s his own person. “I have tremendous respect for the senior senator. He has an amazing legacy that he’s leaving, and he helped the people of Kentucky. But I’m my own man. People say I’ve got big shoes to fill. Of course. No one can fill those shoes. I’m going to do the best I can based on my views,” Barr said.Protecting childrenAnother issue facing voters involves protecting families and children at home and at school.“My three girls, I want to make sure that they’re safe when they’re online as well as every child across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. That is my commitment in putting Kentucky first,” Booker said during the debate. “But Andy Barr is saying a whole lot of noise because if he really wanted to protect children, he would do it now.”In response, Barr pointed to work he’s done in the House. “I supported the Helping Families with Mental Health Crisis Act, to make sure we can intervene with young people suffering from mental illness. To make sure they do not have access to firearms,” Barr said.A lot is at stake, and the two candidates differ on many issues. In less than a week, the people of Kentucky will decide who they think is the best fit to fill the Commonwealth’s legacy seat in the Senate.Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
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