Former Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron launches Senate bid

(The Hill) — Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R ) announced Thursday that he is launching a bid for the seat being vacated by longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell (R). 

“Kentucky, it’s time for a new generation of leadership in the U.S. Senate. Let’s do this,” ​wrote in a Thursday afternoon post on the social platform X.

Alongside the statement was a picture of Cameron with his wife and kids. 

Cameron has deep GOP ties and was spotted at the White House late Thursday afternoon during President Trump’s Black History Month reception. 

Prior to becoming Kentucky’s first Black attorney general, Cameron served as legal counsel to McConnell, the state’s longest serving senator, for two years. 

The then-attorney general launched an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 2023, losing to Democratic incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.). 

Cameron has faced backlash over his decision not to charge two Louisville police officers who shot and killed Breonna Taylor in 2020 during a law enforcement raid. He did bring endangerment charges against a third officer on the scene whose bullets ricocheted through a neighboring apartment.

Taylor’s death led to widespread protests against police brutality. 

Cameron will likely face questions about the choice in a bid for the vacated Kentucky Senate seat. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) announced Thursday he would not run for the post. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) and businessman Nate Morris said they are considering launching campaigns .