KY Democratic Senate candidate says voters deserve ‘honest answer’ about McConnell’s health

The Kentucky Democrat who is hoping to succeed Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell says that Kentuckians “deserve a clear and honest answer about their senator’s condition.” 

McConnell, 84, was admitted to a hospital on June 14 for an undisclosed reason, a spokesperson previously said. Since then, his team has not given a public statement on if the senator has been released from the hospital or what his health condition is. 

Charles Booker, a former state representative from Louisville, said Thursday afternoon that while “I am concerned about the health of Senator Mitch McConnell” and this is a personal time for him and his family, “our entire commonwealth and country are vested in Senator McConnell’s ability to serve.” 

Booker, who is facing Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr for the seat this fall, said that “it is imperative that Kentuckians know what is going on.” Booker referred to media reports about a 911 call obtained by Punchbowl News requesting an Advanced Life Support response to McConnell’s residence near Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. 

“What is clear is that we have known for some time that Mitch McConnell has lacked the capacity to represent us in the Senate. That fact, along with the developing news now, is deeply concerning. Continuing to ignore this is not leadership. It’s elder abuse. And it’s time for him to relinquish the business of Kentucky back to the people,” Booker said.

“Kentuckians of every stripe, from lifelong Republicans and Democrats to first-time voters, deserve a clear and honest answer about their senator’s condition. This seat carries too much responsibility, and represents too many people, for anything less than real accountability. He, like every American, deserves great healthcare and transparent leadership.”

On June 22, a spokesperson said McConnell was “still working closely with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters as he continues his recovery” and he would not vote in the Senate that week. The Lantern asked about McConnell’s health Thursday afternoon, and if he would like to respond to Booker. 

In 2024, the GOP-controlled state General Assembly passed a law that requires the governor to call a special election to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat and allow the winner to serve until the end of the unexpired term.