Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Discusses Policy Solutions and the Future of Kentucky

PARIS, KY. – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath continued her statewide tour Saturday with campaign stops across Carroll and Trimble Counties. She met with community members, healthcare workers, and local leaders to hear directly about the challenges facing rural Kentucky.

Throughout the morning, McGrath hosted a coffee meet-and-greet with residents and Democratic leaders. They talked about their access to healthcare, workforce needs, and the importance of protecting rural hospitals that serve as lifelines for their communities.

Later in the day, McGrath attended the Trimble County Spaghetti Luncheon, a community fundraising event connecting local Democratic candidates with residents. She met with farmers, small-business owners, educators, and families to discuss their priorities and concerns.

“It was refreshing to sit down with Amy and talk about topics that are important to my family and me. I appreciate that she is a people’s candidate, extremely approachable, knowledgeable on all issues, and is able to listen to everyone at the table and navigate how to move forward with everyone,” said Joelle Boaz. “Knowing that she served our country gives me another layer of confidence that she is the right person to represent us in Washington.”  

At the luncheon, McGrath addressed key concerns raised by Trimble County residents, including expanding access to quality rural healthcare, strengthening the workforce, and investing in education and infrastructure.

“Today was a powerful reminder that grassroots organizing is thriving in rural Kentucky,” McGrath said. “Supporting Kentuckians starts with showing up, listening to working families, farmers, and small-business owners, and understanding what is at stake for their communities,” said McGrath.

In Trimble County, Amy McGrath heard directly from residents about urgent local challenges, including 911 dispatch staffing shortages and limited emergency response capacity, as well as growing concerns about access to healthcare as rural providers face rising costs and uncertainty around Medicaid support. She also addressed Kentucky’s worsening housing shortage, noting that higher material costs, funding constraints, and limited development resources are making it harder, especially in rural communities, for families to find affordable homes, and that federal and state policy decisions often disproportionately impact smaller counties. Education remained a central concern, with residents highlighting teacher retention, funding, and declining enrollment, and McGrath underscored the importance of investing in educators and schools to strengthen long-term economic growth and opportunity.

“Communities like Trimble County represent the best of Kentucky and hard-working families who want the best for their loved ones,” McGrath said. “The challenges facing Trimble County are shared across our state, and Kentucky deserves leadership that listens and commits to bringing their concerns to Washington.” 

McGrath is a Democratic candidate for Kentucky’s open U.S. Senate seat. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Voters can find information on polling locations, hours, and registration status through the Kentucky Voter Information Center.

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