On Wednesday morning, former state Representative and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Charles Booker conceded the election to U.S. Sen. Rand Paul.
After a night of further reviewing the election numbers Booker said he had no path to victory.
“After reviewing the numbers, and determining with my team there was no viable path, I respectfully concede my loss in this Senate race,” Booker said in a statement sent to media. “The odds were clear from the start, but so was my faith and our collective urgency for change. For the nearly two years I ran this race, I was told it would be impossible to win. I understood what I was up against. More importantly, I understood what we were up against as a commonwealth. Our opponent wasn’t just Rand Paul, but it was also deep cynicism and disconnected coalitions that have been driven apart for years over wedge issues and deep rooted racism. I took a stand anyway, because I sincerely believe that change is possible in our beautiful commonwealth.”
“Although I didn’t win at the ballot box, the result of this campaign has been a birth of new energy and hope in the most unexpected places,” Booker continued. “Kentuckians from the hood to the holler found their voices, and united around the common goal of ending poverty and winning our future. It reflected the spirit of the Rainbow Coalition, and proved that love still has the power to bridge divides.”
Booker said the loss “hurts,” and he asked his supporters to see his heart.
“I’ll be praying on what is next for me, but I want to conclude by encouraging my team, our massive army of volunteers, and every person across Kentucky who has faced hard times and questions whether anything can change,” he continued. “Thank you all for taking a stand in spite of the odds. Thank you for your time and dedication. Thank you for using your own testimony to fuel this campaign. You have shown a light for the country to see, and I am so deeply grateful.”
The official vote tally is not yet complete, but with 87 percent reporting Paul defeated Booker with more than 60 percent of the vote.
