LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – U.S. Senate candidates Andy Barr and Charles Booker answered more than a dozen questions on Monday night during a debate, frequently criticizing each other on topics including Flock cameras, gas and grocery prices, social media regulations and the legacy of Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Flock cameras and data centers
Booker, a Democrat, accused Barr of supporting surveillance measures and data center development.
“Truth, we deserve to be safe. Andy Barr will never do that. Andy Barr wants to put data centers in your back yard, and Flock cameras on your front porch,” Booker said.
Barr, a Republican U.S. representative, rejected the characterization.
“This whole conversation does illustrate the distinction in this race. Common sense versus crazy. This idea that I want Flock cameras on every porch is crazy,” Barr said.
Gas and grocery prices
The candidates were first asked about gasoline and grocery costs and how each would work to lower prices if elected.
Barr pointed to tax policy he supported in Congress.
“That’s why I supported the largest tax cut in American history, giving the average Kentuckian $2,800 in their pocket. My opponent would not only repeal that but support the largest tax increase,” Barr said.
Booker said foreign policy was tied to the cost of living.
“We need to bring those costs down, and one way to do it is by stopping the madness in Iran. My opponent has signed a blank check to continue this madness,” Booker said.
Social media guardrails
Both candidates said they would support guardrails on social media to protect children in the U.S. The discussion then turned into an exchange of criticism.
“But Andy Barr is saying a whole lot of noise, because if he really wanted to protect children, he would do it now. He’s a part of the D.C. swamp,” Booker said.
Barr responded to claims about outside influence.
“But let me go back to this ridiculous claim that I am bought and sold. The only people I am beholden to are the people of the commonwealth of Kentucky,” Barr said.
[WATCH THE FULL DEBATE BELOW]
McConnell’s legacy
With McConnell leaving Washington, Booker said career politicians need to be removed from office, though he said McConnell stood up for working people early in his career.
Barr said that during his time in Congress, he has sometimes voted in line with McConnell and sometimes has not.
To read a thorough synopsis of both Barr and Booker’s responses, click here.
Original story
Republican Rep. Andy Barr and Democrat Charles Booker met Monday at WKYT studios in Lexington for a debate in the race for Kentucky’s U.S. Senate seat.
The seat is currently held by Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is not seeking reelection after decades in office.
The candidates laid out sharp political differences on gas prices and inflation, gun control and school safety, health care, foreign policy involving Iran, as well as Flock cameras and data centers.
They also weighed in on McConnell’s legacy and what it would mean to succeed him.
Barr won the opening coin toss.
He said gas prices and inflation should be addressed through American energy dominance and increased fossil fuel production.
“I want to restore the American dream for Mary Claire, my other children, and for all Americans. And to do that, we do need to lower costs, gasoline, groceries, housing, everything, “Barr said”. And we’re working on that and making a lot of progress at digging out of the disastrous policies of the Biden administration and partisan overspending by congressional Democrats that gave us, uh, the highest inflation in a generation.”
Booker countered that Kentuckians are feeling the strain of global conflicts and federal spending priorities.
“It’s one that I’m hearing all across Kentucky. Democrats, Republicans, and independents are feeling it, and we need to bring those costs down. And the one way we need to do it is by stopping the madness in Iran, “ Booker said. ”We are seeing devastation in Iran, billions upon billions of dollars going overseas to fund a conflict that has no end in sight, and my opponent, Andy Barr, has been a rubber stamp for signing a blank check to continue this madness. It has happened under his watch.”
On foreign policy, Barr said President Donald Trump was working to end a longstanding conflict, describing “victory” as the exit strategy in Iran.
“War is peace through strength,” Barr said, adding that the work in Iran is not done.
Booker criticized Barr’s approach, arguing his policies favor wealthy donors.
The fact of the matter is, the only reason he thinks the Iran war is a success is because his billionaire friends are getting rich off of it,” he said.
Despite partisan divisions throughout the debate, both candidates struck a bipartisan note at the end when moderators asked where they could find common ground.
“I will work with anyone that is willing to work for the benefit of Kentuckians,” Booker said.
“I know how to work on solutions across the aisle,” Barr said.
Election Day is Nov. 3.
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