Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron files to run for governor in 2023

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed paperwork Wednesday to start a operate for governor in 2023, ending months of speculation that he would be a part of the area of potential Republican candidates.

Cameron filed a assertion of paying out intent sort Wednesday morning with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, indicating such shelling out would be as a gubernatorial applicant.

Two hours soon after The Courier Journal broke the news of his submitting, Cameron manufactured the official announcement of his candidacy in an e mail and video clip — contrasting himself with the present-day business holder, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.

“I’ve decided to run for governor mainly because Kentucky requirements a chief who reflects the values of the guys, women of all ages and kids of all 120 counties,” Cameron claimed. “That’s not our latest governor.”

In his video clip, Cameron claimed Beshear is “not uniting Kentucky” and touted his individual anti-abortion views, expressing the point out desires a governor “who realize that only religion can continue to keep us sturdy.”

The attorney typical is now the 3rd Republican constitutional officer to have joined the race for governor, pursuing point out Auditor Mike Harmon and Agriculture Commission Ryan Quarles.

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Harmon joined the race final summer time, though Quarles declared his operate for the business two months ago.

Other Republicans who have explained they are also contemplating a operate for governor incorporate former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft, state Rep. Savannah Maddox and condition Sens. Max Intelligent and Ralph Alvarado. Also rumored to be taking into consideration a run is former Gov. Matt Bevin.

Beshear has declared he is working for reelection, already boosting far more than $2 million for that operate. Latest polls have demonstrated his acceptance rating in Kentucky at just about 60%.

Elected in 2019 as the to start with Black legal professional normal in Kentucky record, Cameron is a political protégé of Senate Greater part Chief Mitch McConnell, formerly serving as his standard counsel for two years.

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Cameron grew up in Elizabethtown, exactly where his father owned a regional espresso store and his mother was a professor at the area neighborhood faculty. He acquired his bachelor’s and legislation degrees from the University of Louisville, in which he also played on the football crew.

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As legal professional basic, Cameron’s business has faced off in opposition to Beshear in court docket quite a few moments with varying results, most usually above worries linked to the governor’s use of crisis powers in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cameron was also the center of countrywide consideration relevant to the Louisville law enforcement killing of Breonna Taylor in 2020. His business investigated her capturing but did not suggest the grand jury indict any of the officers for her demise.

Cameron and his spokesperson did not reply to a ask for for remark.

Kentucky Democratic Social gathering Chair Colmon Elridge reacted to Cameron’s entry to the race by stating he had a “weak file of defending Kentucky small children, seniors and survivors” and politicizes his office, although Beshear is “just one of the most well-known governors in the state since he performs for Kentuckians.”

With Cameron’s announcement, Republican Secretary of Condition Michael Adams indicated he would look at operating for legal professional typical following year.

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This write-up initially appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Daniel Cameron documents to run for Kentucky governor in 2023 election