(5/7) As a woman in the military, I learned quickly that I’d have to fight the establishment to succeed. That’s what is needed to end the grip of special interests on our government and achieve equal pay, equal justice, affordable health care for all, & voting right protections.
— Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) June 30, 2020
And while Booker didn’t exactly express support for McGrath, he did release a statement that expressed his pride in his campaign’s accomplishments and having come from behind. Booker also talked about the voters left behind by McConnell who supported Democratic candidates.
Kentucky, I am so proud of you. I truly hope I made you proud of me too. It is my honor to stand on the front line for you.
We didn’t win at the ballot box, but what we have done is undeniable. I am humbled. I am grateful. From the hood to the holler, I love you.
My statement. pic.twitter.com/enjWXqyMfn
— Charles Booker (@Booker4KY) June 30, 2020
Mail-in voting snafus
Kentucky was one of several states to use mail-in ballots for their senate primaries, which slowed down vote-counting as absentee ballots continued to come in. As a result, the final numbers weren’t in until late Tuesday.
But while mail-in ballots were widely used, actual polling locations were scare — there was only one in Jefferson County, a county with a predominantly black population. Many expressed outrage at what they deemed voter suppression of black populations, according to reporting by Politifact.
Lack of polling centers resulted in long lines and hours-long waits, as well as many people being unable to cast their vote at all after polling centers closed. But Kentucky also opened up polling centers to early voting and despite problems, saw record-breaking voter turnout.