Ex-CIA Officer Joel Willett Launches Democratic Bid for McConnell’s Kentucky Senate Seat
He points to a recent security-clearance revocation as proof of partisan misuse of national-security powers.
Overview
- Willett announced his run Wednesday after DNI Tulsi Gabbard recently revoked his clearance as part of rescissions affecting 37 current and former officials.
- An ODNI memo alleged politicization and other misconduct but offered no evidence to substantiate the accusations.
- His campaign says he faced online attacks from Trump-aligned activists, including Laura Loomer, and he received death threats.
- The Louisville-area native is a veteran and former CIA officer who served in the White House situation room before moving to private-sector executive roles.
- His early message targets economic inequality and the fentanyl crisis, and he enters a crowded 2026 Kentucky race that last sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in 1992.