U.S. Senate (KY)
Open seat · 2026 cycle
13 days until the next FEC filing deadline.
Market
Daily Kalshi price history
Daily Kalshi price history. Charles Booker 5%, Andy Barr 96%.
The race in 60 seconds
- This race for Kentucky's open U.S. Senate seat features Republican Andy Barr against Democrat Charles Booker.
- Andy Barr, a seven-term congressman, is heavily favored in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1992.
- Barr maintains a massive financial lead, having raised nine times more money than his opponent.
Can they win this race
Andy Barr is positioned to win because his substantial financial lead and unified support from both party leadership and high-profile PACs are overwhelming in a state that consistently favors his party by double digits.
Who's lining up behind each side
Barr’s deep institutional ties and significant outside financial support create a professionalized, highly organized machine that is far better equipped to turn out voters than Booker’s decentralized grassroots approach.
What could go wrong
The most significant threat is Andy Barr’s 1993 conviction, which provides a consistent target for opponents to undermine his reputation despite his party’s structural dominance.
Who fits the moment
Andy Barr’s platform is perfectly calibrated to the electorate's deep-red orientation, whereas Booker’s progressive priorities struggle to gain traction in a state that consistently yields such high Republican margins.
Money
Excludes $2,771,506.16 from 34,569 donors who listed no occupation, or listed retired or not employed.
Excludes $151,406.04 from 554 donors who listed no occupation, or listed retired or not employed.
Key contrasts
supports pro-growth agenda, opposes tax increases and government overreach
supports UBI, $45k minimum salary, and union rights
1 of 6
| Issue | Andy Barr | Charles Booker |
|---|---|---|
| Economy and taxes | Supportssupports pro-growth agenda, opposes tax increases and government overreach | Supportssupports UBI, $45k minimum salary, and union rights |
| Healthcare | Opposessupports repealing the Affordable Care Act | Supportssupports Medicare for All; personal history of rationing insulin |
| Abortion and social issues | Opposesopposes abortion, except to save the mother's life | Supportssupports codifying abortion rights into federal law |
| Democracy and elections | Supportssupports Trump, endorsed by him, opposes 2020 election objections | Supportssupports For The People Act and ending filibuster |
| Immigration and border | Opposesopposes amnesty, supports border wall and deportation policies | Supportsadvocates for the abolition of ICE |
| Foreign policy and defense | Supportssupports aggressive sanctions on China, TikTok divestment, and military strength | Opposesopposes endless wars and AIPAC funding; calls Gaza genocide |
Electoral history
| Cycle | Race | Dem | Rep | Margin | Turnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | President | 33.9% | 64.5% | R+30.5 | 58.8% |
| 2024 | House | Not enough evidence | |||
| 2023 | Governor | 52.5% | 47.5% | D+5.1 | 38.1% |
| 2022 | House | Not enough evidence | |||
| 2020 | President | 36.1% | 62.1% | R+25.9 | 59.7% |