LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Many who have felt powerless are finding their voice in the crowds taking to Louisville streets in response to the death of Breonna Taylor. A West End man, already in a position of power, is stepping in at some very tense moments. State Representative, Charles Booker, is fighting two fights as he heads into the Kentucky Democratic Primary on June 23.
The 43rd District Democrat is one of 10 Democrats hoping to represent their party and take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November.
Also on the ballot are Jimmy Ausbrooks, Mike Broihier, Maggie Jo Hilliard, Andrew Maynard, Amy McGrath, Eric Rothmuller, John Sharpensteen, Bennie Smith, and Mary Ann Tobin.
Representative Booker has been in front of crowds during the past week, speaking with demonstrators, negotiating for calmer heads to prevail, and reminding protestors of his platform and the importance of voting.
"I think that moments of crisis demand leaders step up”, he told us during a calm moment this week. “I just want to do all I can. I don't care about a title. I love this place and I want it to be better and that's what I'm fighting for.”
I asked him whether we’re seeing “Charles Booker the man concerned about his neighborhood or Charles Booker, the guy who is desperate to win this Senate race?”
He answered, “Both. I'm desperate to win this race because I'm concerned about my neighborhood. I've had cousins murdered the last four years. I've had to ration my insulin. I've seen people that have been traumatized by their doors being kicked in and their loved ones being take away. Breonna Taylor was close friends with my family, so this is personal for me and a lot of Kentuckians understand the trauma even if they don't see it through the lens of a young black man in the poorest zip code in Kentucky. They know what it's like to struggle.”
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