KY GOP selects Daniel Cameron to defeat Dem Gov. Beshear.

Kentucky Republicans Choose Daniel Cameron as Gubernatorial Challenger

Kentucky Republicans have selected state attorney general Daniel Cameron as their candidate to challenge incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Cameron, a longtime ally of Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell and endorsed by former president Donald Trump, led all Republicans with 46 percent of the vote in the primary.

A Tough Race Ahead for Beshear

Beshear faces a difficult reelection bid in a state that overwhelmingly backed Trump in 2020. However, the Democrat has overcome long political odds in the past, defeating incumbent Republican Matt Bevin by less than one point in 2019. Beshear also enjoys a high approval rating, with 63 percent of Kentucky voters approving of his job as governor, according to an April Morning Consult poll.

Despite this, Beshear will likely face criticism over his response to the coronavirus pandemic, including his executive order mandating masks in Kentucky schools. The order was quickly rescinded after the state’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of laws that limited his emergency power, but Beshear defended the policy nonetheless.

The Republican Governors Association’s Criticism of Beshear

The Republican Governors Association has criticized Beshear’s education policies, stating that “Daniel Cameron’s no nonsense conservative record and history of delivering results for Kentucky families will stand in sharp contrast to Andy Beshear’s liberal priorities.” The group also accused Beshear of surrounding himself with extreme liberals, fighting to close churches, and pushing a radical agenda on children in Kentucky schools.

Cameron’s Bid for Governor

Cameron succeeded Beshear as Kentucky’s attorney general in 2019 and will now look to replace the Democrat in the state’s governor’s mansion. The race is expected to be a difficult one for Beshear, with Cameron presenting a formidable challenge in a state that Republicans have dominated in recent elections. Trump won Kentucky by 26 points in 2020, and GOP senator Rand Paul also cruised to reelection last year, defeating liberal challenger Charles Booker by a whopping 23 points.

With his no-nonsense conservative record and history of delivering results for Kentucky families, Cameron is poised to give Beshear a run for his money in the upcoming election.