Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Rand Paul will face off against Democrat challenger Charles Booker for one of the state’s senate seats in the upcoming General Election Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Booker, a former state lawmaker, defeated three primary opponents to become the latest nominee to try to snap the long losing streak of Kentucky Democrats in U.S. Senate races.

Booker grew up poor in Louisville. His “hood to the holler” campaign motif helped him become the front-runner in the Democratic primary back in the spring. He hopes it will help him in urban areas and the hills and hollows of rural Kentucky.

The Bluegrass State has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Wendell Ford back in 1992.

Paul, seeking a third term, is a conservative with Libertarian ideas. His father, Ron Paul, is a former congressman from Texas and a former presidential candidate. The two seem to share some of the same philosophies.

Rand Paul, like his dad, ran unsuccessfully for president.

Paul’s Libertarian ideas include a dislike of what he said is a government overreach in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was an opponent of the federal government’s coronavirus policies, a stance which helped him raise campaign contributions from some supporters who shared his beliefs.

Booker has campaigned on a racial and economic justice message. He barely lost the Senate primary in 2020.

This year Booker was the front-runner from the outset in the Democratic primary.

Booker supports progressive plans such as making healthcare accessible for all. He promotes ideas such as lowering insulin costs and emphasizes the need to rebuild infrastructure.

Booker recently proclaimed the water crisis in Martin County “inexcusable.”

Paul did not accept a recent invitation to debate Booker.

The two candidates are totally different in their views, and Kentuckians have an important decision to make in the upcoming election.

Whatever you decide, be sure to vote in the General Election. Every vote counts.