Booker leads, but McGrath is Democrats' best bet for Senate
By Al Cross
Published on April 8, 2026.
Democrats face a challenging US Senate race in Kentucky, a state that hasn't elected a Democratic senator in 34 years. A recent poll suggests that a Trump endorsement may make voters less likely to support a candidate, and that Amy McGrath is the party's most realistic chance to win. The race is also a referendum on President Trump's influence in the state, with more anti-Trump Republicans (13%) saying they would be less likely than pro-Trump Democrats (7%) and more likely. McGrath's campaign has been criticized for her lack of experience and for her focus on the Iran War. Booker leads by 36% to 18% in the poll, up from 30-19 two months earlier. The remaining undecided race will determine the direction the nation should take in a conservative state, where Booker is an outspoken liberal.
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