LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's official: Former State Rep. Charles Booker is running for Sen. Rand Paul's seat. 

What You Need To Know

  • Charles Booker announced he is officially running for U.S. Senate

  • Booker will run for Sen. Rand Paul's seat

  • The former state representative has hinted at a run for months

  • He previously lost his bid for Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat during the Democratic primary

"Lets make freedom ring. Real freedom, from the hood to the holler," Booker wrote in his announcement on Twitter Thursday morning. "We can start by taking our seat back from Rand Paul."

Booker has hinted at a run against Kentucky's junior senator for months, announcing in March that he was "strongly considering" a challenge against Paul during an appearance on KET. In April, Booker announced the formation of an exploratory committee to consider a campaign against Paul, which Booker announced in May had raised more than $500,000.

Also in May, Booker and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., held a rally in Louisville, where he again hinted at running in 2022.

The Louisville native gained significant momentum during his bid for Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat, but his run was cut short after he lost the primary to Amy McGrath, who then lost to McConnell in the general election.

Booker will have to clear a Democratic primary before officially taking on Paul.

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

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