Daniel Cameron (American politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Cameron
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Official portrait, 2021
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| 51st Attorney General of Kentucky | |
| In office January 6, 2020 – January 1, 2024 Acting: December 17, 2019 – January 6, 2020 |
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| Governor | Andy Beshear |
| Preceded by | Andy Beshear |
| Succeeded by | Russell Coleman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Daniel Jay Cameron
November 22, 1985 Plano, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Elizabeth Cameron
(m. 2016; div. 2017)Makenze Evans
(m. 2020) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Louisville (BS, JD) |
Daniel Jay Cameron (born November 22, 1985) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 51st Attorney General of Kentucky from 2020 to 2024. As a member of the Republican Party, Cameron made history. He was the first African American and the first Republican since 1943 to be elected to this important job. In 2023, he ran for governor of Kentucky but lost to the current governor, Andy Beshear.
Cameron was born in Plano, Texas. He moved to Elizabethtown, Kentucky when he was a child. He studied at the University of Louisville for both his college and law degrees. Before becoming Attorney General, he worked for a judge and then for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
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About Daniel Cameron
Growing Up and School
Daniel Cameron was born in Plano, Texas. He later lived in Alabama before growing up in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. His mother was a professor at a local college. His father owned a coffee shop. Daniel went to John Hardin High School in nearby Radcliff.
Cameron received a special scholarship to attend the University of Louisville. This is where he first met Senator Mitch McConnell. He played a little bit of football for the Louisville Cardinals football team in 2006. He earned his first degree from the University of Louisville in 2008. In 2011, he got his law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law. While there, he was the president of the Student Bar Association.
Early Career
After law school, Cameron worked for a judge named Gregory F. Van Tatenhove. This job, called a law clerk, lasted for two years, from 2011 to 2013. He then worked for a law firm for about 18 months.
From 2015 to 2017, Cameron worked as a legal advisor for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In this role, he helped make sure McConnell's office followed Senate rules. He also helped with the approval of federal judges.
In 2017, Cameron moved back to Louisville. He joined another law firm, working on government affairs.
Attorney General of Kentucky
Becoming Attorney General
In 2019, Daniel Cameron decided to run for Attorney General of Kentucky. He won the Republican primary election. After this, President Donald Trump supported his campaign. In the main election in November 2019, Cameron won with over 57% of the votes. He defeated the Democratic candidate, Greg Stumbo.
Cameron was the first Republican to be elected Attorney General of Kentucky since 1943. He also became Kentucky's first African-American Attorney General. This was a big moment for the state.
What the Attorney General Does
Cameron's term as Attorney General was supposed to start in January 2020. However, the previous Attorney General, Andy Beshear, became Governor in December 2019. So, Governor Beshear appointed Cameron to finish his term early. Cameron officially took office on December 17, 2019. The same judge he used to work for, Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, swore him into office.
Challenges During the Pandemic
As Attorney General, Cameron had some disagreements with Governor Beshear. This was especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cameron challenged some of the rules Governor Beshear put in place to stop the virus from spreading.
For example, in July 2020, Cameron asked a judge to cancel all of Governor Beshear's COVID-19 orders. He wanted to stop the governor from making more rules. Cameron said he was trying to "protect the rights of Kentuckians." Governor Beshear disagreed, saying Cameron's actions could harm public health and the economy. The rules included things like wearing face masks and limiting public gatherings.
The Kentucky Supreme Court stepped in and temporarily stopped Cameron's efforts. In November 2020, the Kentucky Supreme Court decided that Governor Beshear's emergency orders were constitutional.
Later, Cameron challenged the governor's order to temporarily close schools. A federal judge first sided with Cameron. But the U.S. Supreme Court later overturned that decision. They ruled against Cameron.
National Recognition
After becoming Attorney General, many people saw Daniel Cameron as a rising star in the Republican Party. He spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention. In September 2020, President Donald Trump included Cameron on a list of people he might consider for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Running for Governor
On May 11, 2022, Daniel Cameron announced he would run for governor of Kentucky. He criticized Governor Beshear's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Donald Trump again supported Cameron's campaign.
Cameron won the Republican primary election. He chose State Senator Robby Mills to be his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. Cameron was the first African American from a major party to run for governor in Kentucky's history. He ran against Governor Andy Beshear in the election on November 7, 2023. Cameron lost the election to the current governor.
Personal Life
Daniel Cameron married Makenze Evans on July 31, 2020. She is a schoolteacher. They welcomed their first child on January 5, 2022.
See also
In Spanish: Daniel Jay Cameron para niños
