Andy Barr defeats Charles Booker in Kentucky Senate race

Republican Andy Barr defeated Democrat Charles Booker in Kentucky’s race for the U.S. Senate.

With 99% of votes counted, Barr had 55% and Booker 43%.

Barr will take the seat being left by retiring Mitch McConnell, who represented Kentucky for more than four decades.

Barr, a seven-term U.S. House member, will become the state’s junior senator alongside Rand Paul.

The result keeps the seat in Republican hands in a state that voted for Donald Trump by 30 points in 2024.

Booker backed Medicare for all, stronger worker protections and ending the U.S. war in Iran, but those positions did not win enough support.

Barr says he will work with lawmakers from either party when they are willing to reach agreements.

Democrats were projected to take control of the Senate nationally, so Barr will enter a chamber led by the opposing party.