But he also did not endorse extending them, as he discussed his campaign to become the successor of retiring longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

His noncommittal stance in one of the country’s reddest states, where President Donald Trump dominated by over 30 points, offers a window into the broader challenges facing Republicans in Congress and on the campaign trail over how to handle the end of enhanced pandemic-era tax credits that could send out-of-pocket insurance premiums skyrocketing in an election year.

“I think it’s an important conversation to have,” Cameron said of an extension. “When we had flooding and tornadoes in Kentucky, [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] was giving pennies on the dollar to folks that were needing to have their homes rebuilt, or what have you. And that was a profound time and period for me, when it came to [the fact that] we’re able to spend billions of dollars across the pond or overseas, but we’re not spending money on our citizens in our own country.”

While Cameron won’t be involved in the Capitol Hill debate over an extension, the contentious issue could resurface shortly after he would take office in January 2027, particularly if Congress were to pass a short-term extension this year.

Some Republican proposals would push expiration to the end of 2026 and after the midterm elections. Others have floated multi-year extensions with subsidies gradually phasing out.

Cameron echoed Senate Republicans that Democrats were preventing negotiations by refusing to provide the votes to overcome a filibuster and reopen the government. He also extended compliments to Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), one of the most vocal proponents of extending subsidies but with reduced eligibility.

“There are well-meaning and intentioned people in the Republican Party that are trying to solve the issue of how we help folks that have fallen on challenging times and still need medical coverage, but you can’t really have that conversation because the Democrats are stonewalling it,” Cameron said.

Cameron’s rhetoric draws similarities and differences to the rivals with whom he’s locked in a contentious primary. He maintains a double-digit polling lead despite a fundraising deficiency to both Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and wealthy businessman Nate Morris.

Barr offered a harsher critique of the subsidies that signaled his disapproval but was ultimately also noncommittal. He has said it’s incumbent upon Democrats to reopen the government and come to the negotiating table.

In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Barr condemned the “failed Obamacare system” that “Democrats are admitting is a disaster by pushing for additional subsidies to prop up Obamacare exchanges.”

“The fact is that the so-called Affordable Care Act is truly unaffordable, since its enactment Obamacare exchange’s price controls have caused premiums to spike by 60% compared to employer-sponsored plans,” Barr said. “I’ll partner with President Trump to fix these exchanges and deliver real solutions that lower costs and expand choice for Kentucky families.”

The Morris campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Although Cameron maintains a steady polling advantage over Barr, third-quarter filings show he’s fallen further behind in padding his campaign coffers ahead of the May 2026 primary. Barr raked in $1.8 million from July through September to end the most recent quarter with $6.7 million cash on hand, compared to Cameron’s $411,000 during the same period to end with less than $630,000 in the bank. Morris, who trails both candidates in the polls, raised $4 million, but $3 million was from a personal loan.

Cameron made the case that contributions will pick up as the primary date draws closer and voters begin to pay more attention to the race. He also noted that Barr has a more established fundraising network tied to Washington. The former state official is also banking on his wider name recognition to help close the gap.

“I absolutely think that people want to pick a winner, and I’ve certainly demonstrated that, in the polling, I’m going to win this race,” Cameron said. “And I think other folks are going to start getting on board here.”

Cameron went on to roundly reject the wish-casting from some in the GOP that he might drop his Senate bid to primary Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a thorn in Trump’s side whom the president is seeking to oust from Congress. Cameron likened it to a “fever dream” of his competitors.

“It would produce cognitive dissonance if the leading candidate in the United States Senate race would all of a sudden decide to jump out and go into another race,” Cameron said. “You can shut it down. I’ve shut it down several times.”

Trump preemptively endorsed former Navy SEAL captain Ed Gallrein last week against seven-term Massie. Gallrein declared his candidacy on Tuesday in the hours before Cameron spoke with the Washington Examiner.

ANDY BARR FLEXES MAGA CREDENTIALS AS HE VIES FOR TRUMP BACKING TO REPLACE MCCONNELL

Notably, the president has so far refrained from endorsing any one of the candidates vying for the Senate, all of whom are gunning for a coveted embrace that could make or break a primary victory. Cameron was endorsed by Trump in his failed 2023 gubernatorial bid against Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY), as was Barr in his past congressional races.

“I’d be honored to receive his endorsement. But the one thing about President Trump is that he wants you to earn it,” Cameron said. “And what has been shared with our team, and I think the other teams in the race, is that he wants to see how you’re doing as a candidate.”