FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2026
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Louisville, KY — Charles Booker, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, is closing out the final days of his primary campaign with a major cultural moment in the 2026 cycle, after Grammy Award-winning rock icons ‘The Strokes’ brought Kentucky politics to late night this week in the final stretch before Tuesday’s election.
Last night, frontman Julian Casablancas was rocking a Charles Booker for Senate shirt following The Strokes’ performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, putting Booker’s name in front of a primetime audience, just days before Kentucky voters head to the polls.
The band followed the Late Show performance, sharing photos with their 1.8 million Instagram followers and tagging @booker4ky with a “❤️ Kentucky!” Charles Booker responded with gratitude, thanking The Strokes, “So grateful for the love! We love you back! Thank you for your art, and thank you for shining a light on us here in Kentucky.”
“Now this is awesome! Last Nite, Julian Casablancas and The Strokes took love for Kentucky to the set of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” said Charles Booker. “Gotta say, few rock bands are bigger than The Strokes for my generation. The love is mutual!”
The Strokes are one of the most influential rock bands of the 21st century. The Booker campaign is honored by their love and support, and grateful for a moment that resonates with Americans across the board, regardless of affiliation. It reflects the broad coalition Charles Booker has built and continues to build across party lines, cultural figures, and everyday Kentuckians who want a Senator that will fight for them.
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The Kentucky primary is Tuesday, May 19. Polls are open from 6:00am to 6:00pm local time. Saturday, May 16, 2026, is the last early day. Voters can find their polling location and early voting sites at govote.ky.gov.