We were not originally planning on making endorsements in the Kentucky primaries because the race is not viewed as competitive. Rand Paul’s egregious decision to delay desperately needed aid to Ukraine for no other apparent purpose than to gain some media attention changed our minds. Unfortunately, Kentucky is a closed primary state, so you are constrained to vote in the primary for the party to which you are registered.
The May 17, 2022 Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate seat from Kentucky
Rand Paul is running against five other candidates for the Republican nomination. None of these candidates are centrists. We, nevertheless, endorse Paul Hamilton, in the Republican primary. He is hardcore pro-life, but so are all of the other Republican candidates. On other issues such as inflation, the deficit, and immigration he is not unreasonable. He would definitely be superior to Rand Paul in the U.S. Senate.
The May 17, 2022 Democratic Primary for the U.S. Senate seat from Kentucky
There are four candidates competing for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat from Kentucky. They are: Joshua Blanton Sr., Charles Booker, Ruth Gao, and John Merrill. Of these candidates, only Ruth Gao provides a substantive discussion of issues on her campaign web site. Gao is definitely left of center, but she nevertheless earns our endorsement in the Democratic primary for being straightforward about her positions on a number of issues.