KENTUCKY — In a Youtube video published Monday morning, former State Rep. Charles Booker announced the formation of an exploratory committee to consider a campaign against Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

“As Kentuckians, we know about tough times. But over these last few years, we have truly been through a lot,” Booker said. “It’s been hard, but as Kentuckians, we stood up and showed up for our neighbors, finding ways to uplift and help each other however we could. But even in a historic, unprecedented public health and economic crisis, most of our politicians couldn’t be bothered to do anything, voting against survival checks for working families and trying to take away our health care in order to give our money away to wealthy campaign donors. Kentuckians deserve a senator who will fight as hard for us as we fight for each other, and that’s why I’m formally announcing an exploratory committee for U.S. Senate. We can, we will, and we must build a future that works for all of us instead of just for a wealthy few.”

Last month, during an appearance on KET, Booker said he's "strongly considering" a run for the Senate in 2022.

Booker gained significant momentum in 2020 during his bid for Mitch McConnell's seat; however, he narrowly lost the primary to Amy McGrath. McGrath lost in the general election, giving McConnell his seventh term. 

Paul has served in the Senate since 2011 and attempted a run for the presidency in 2016.

Before running for McConnell's Senate seat, Booker served one term in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Want to read more about Booker and his potential run for Senate? Read "Will Charles Booker be Amy McGrath all over again in Kentucky's 2022 Senate race?" from our partners at the Lexington Herald-Leader exclusively on the Spectrum News App.