00:00Do you have the backing of Democratic leadership here in Washington? Is the DSCC putting money in Kentucky?
00:07Well, the momentum is picking up. There's something different is happening in Kentucky.
00:11A lot of people are frustrated with what's going on, the status quo, the rising prices, the inflation,
00:17the tariffs that are breaking the backs of Kentuckians.
00:19And our campaign is showing the power of a coalition that national folks are taking note of, including in the
00:24party.
00:25So I'm inspired because recent polling has showed that when our message gets out there, we're tied in the polls.
00:30We have a real chance to win this race and flip the U.S. Senate.
00:33Well, do you need potentially an influx of National Party money to get the message out there?
00:38Have they committed to spending money on your behalf for ads and such?
00:41Well, I know those conversations are ongoing and we're doing well now and our support is growing.
00:46Are you having them here in Washington this week?
00:48Absolutely. Absolutely. And I'm excited about it because this is a story of regular people fighting back in Kentucky
00:54and the fact that our allies nationally are taking note and realizing that this is a state to invest in
00:58is important.
01:00Because the fact of the matter is, in Kentucky, Mitch McConnell has hurt so many people.
01:05His unfavorables, he's over 80 percent. And Trump is losing ground. He's underwater, too.
01:10So the pathway to victory is clear if you listen to the people and with the resources, we can win
01:16this race.
01:16Well, imagine being side by side with Mitch McConnell as the junior senator in Kentucky.
01:20Would you be able to work together with someone like that if you were to stay around?
01:24Obviously, this is an open seat. But this is the man Kentucky has been voting for.
01:29What makes you think they're ready for such a change?
01:32Well, Mitch McConnell's been in office my entire life. I was two weeks old when he was elected.
01:36And a lot of people in Kentucky are really tired of the way he sold us out.
01:40There was a time when he delivered resources to Kentucky, invested in the Commonwealth, but he turned his back on
01:45us.
01:45And that's why so many people despise him now. And that's why he's underwater over 80 percent.
01:50And so our path to victory is a lot of taking notes from him, investing in infrastructure, but telling the
01:56people that this is for them.
01:58This seat belongs to them. And because of that, we are in a position to win.
02:01Well, of course, Senator McConnell just returned to the Senate after a period of months of recovery from a fall.
02:07And the health issue itself aside, do you feel like his absence backfired at home?
02:12Has that changed voter sentiment? Are you feeling that on the ground?
02:15You know, I think it lit a sense of urgency in a lot of people who were already frustrated with
02:19the status quo that says they don't matter.
02:21Mitch McConnell was essentially a no call, no show for over 90 days.
02:25And any regular person who was away from their job, no call, no show for that long, they wouldn't have
02:30a job.
02:31And the disregard, as well as using his career to work against paid sick leave, to work against the same
02:38health care that he's been getting,
02:40has really pissed a lot of Kentuckians off.
02:42And the fact of the matter is, by showing that we can stand up against corruption, we can stand up
02:47to McConnell and his protege in Andy Barr,
02:50who is just as corrupt, has sold out to Wall Street, has essentially given a blank check to Endless War,
02:55and is fine with these tariffs, breaking the backs of working people,
02:58that we can send a fighter to Washington who really cares, who is determined to fight for every Kentuckian, Democrat,
03:05Republican, and Independent.
03:06He's 84 years old.
03:08The images of his return to Washington sparked a whole new conversation about,
03:13should there be a mandatory retirement age when it comes to elected federal office?
03:18Rahm Emanuel, for instance, is running on a mandatory 75-year-old retirement age.
03:23Would you support such a thing? Would you propose it?
03:26Well, first of all, Mitch McConnell needs to step down.
03:28Why, you've made that clear.
03:29Yes, that's abundantly clear.
03:30I mean, you say people despise him, whether they love him or not.
03:33Should an 84-year-old hold office?
03:35Well, you know, I think it's less about age and more about the ability to do the job.
03:38Yeah.
03:38And the fact of the matter is, we do need to have that conversation.
03:42I've called four-term limits.
03:43I do think a very real conversation about age and capability is important,
03:49because at this point, Mitch McConnell is being wheeled into the chambers,
03:52and it's clear he doesn't have a grasp on everything that's going on.
03:55So with these big issues impacting our farmers, impacting businesses, impacting working people,
04:00we need a leader who is competent and able to represent them.
04:03What about the leader of the Democratic caucus in the Senate, if you were to join it?
04:07Would you support Chuck Schumer staying on as a majority leader in that scenario?
04:11Well, I look forward to getting to the Senate and making a very clear decision on how we best represent
04:15the future for Kentucky,
04:17how we stand for our values, and make sure that we're continuing to win,
04:20because Kentuckians are genuinely hurting.
04:22And anyone who is looking to work for Kentucky is going to find an ally in me.
04:28The next couple of weeks are going to be interesting.
04:30How do you break through in a state like Kentucky that is about as bright red as you get?
04:35You know, in a lot of ways, we've broken through on the ground.
04:38That's why people who voted for Trump are organizing with me.
04:40Do you have to break through outside of the cities?
04:42Are you talking to farmers?
04:43Are you going into rural areas?
04:44Or is this race decided in Louisville?
04:46Oh, we're going everywhere.
04:47And of course, in our main urban areas, Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky, of course, we're doing a lot of work.
04:53But I've launched an initiative called Hood to the Holler.
04:57We're going to the communities that people have ignored, have felt exploited and forgotten about, Republicans and Democrats alike.
05:03We're building a historic coalition that speaks to the history of the Rainbow Coalition.
05:07And that's why we're in a position to win this race.
05:09Well, and so get to some of the issues as you talk about improving the life of Kentuckians in the
05:14U.S. Senate.
05:15What does that actually look like?
05:16Take health care, for example.
05:17You have candidates who are suggesting Medicare for all is the most viable solve to make sure that everyone has
05:22access to health care.
05:23Is that where you stand?
05:25Is there another legislative way you think it's best approached?
05:28Well, you know, I've talked a lot about my health.
05:30I'm a type 1 diabetic.
05:32And I've had to ration my insulin to feed my daughters.
05:34And I know a lot of Kentuckians know that story because needing that insulin is not a Democrat or Republican
05:39issue.
05:39It's a human issue.
05:41And the fact that we are talking about health care and honoring as a right has allowed us to build
05:46a lot of support.
05:47And I've been on the record for Medicare for all for years.
05:49And I know a lot of Kentuckians have been talking about the need for public option.
05:53And I know that there is growing momentum to move us closer to that goal of making sure that everyone
05:59has health care so no one's choosing between the medicine they need or keeping the lights on.
06:03We have a little bit less than a minute.
06:04If you were elected, would you pledge to reach across the aisle and work with Rand Paul?
06:08Well, I've been commending Rand Paul for calling for accountability on endless wars and with the Epstein files as well.
06:13Anyone that's willing to work for the people of Kentucky is going to find a partner in me.
06:17And I'll work across the aisle.
06:18I'll do whatever it takes to deliver for my family in Kentucky.
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