Daniel Cameron (American politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Cameron
|
|
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021
|
|
| 51st Attorney General of Kentucky | |
| In office December 17, 2019 – January 1, 2024 Acting: December 17, 2019 – January 6, 2020 |
|
| 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 was the first African American and the first Republican since 1943 to be elected to this important role in Kentucky.
Cameron grew up in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He studied at the University of Louisville for his college and law degrees. Before becoming Attorney General, he worked as a lawyer for a judge and then for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In 2023, he was the Republican candidate for governor of Kentucky but lost to the current governor, Andy Beshear. Cameron is planning to run for a U.S. Senate seat in 2026.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Cameron was born in Plano, Texas, and later moved to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where he was raised. His mother was a professor, and his father owned a coffee shop. He went to John Hardin High School in nearby Radcliff.
Cameron received a scholarship to attend the University of Louisville. He played a little bit of football for the Louisville Cardinals football team in 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 2008. In 2011, he received his law degree from the University of Louisville School of Law.
Early Career and Legal Work
After law school, Daniel Cameron worked as a law clerk for Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove in a U.S. District Court for two years. This job helps new lawyers learn how courts work.
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 process of approving federal judges. After this, Cameron returned to Louisville and worked for a law firm.
Attorney General of Kentucky
Becoming Attorney General
Daniel Cameron decided to run for Attorney General of Kentucky in 2019. He won the Republican primary election. After this, he received support from President Donald Trump. In the main election in November 2019, Cameron won against the Democratic candidate, Greg Stumbo, with 57.8% of the votes.
He made history by becoming the first Republican to be elected Attorney General of Kentucky since 1943. He was also Kentucky's first African-American Attorney General.
Cameron's term as Attorney General officially began on January 6, 2020. However, the previous Attorney General, Andy Beshear, became Governor earlier. So, Governor Beshear appointed Cameron to start his term a little early, on December 17, 2019.
Work as Attorney General
As Attorney General, Daniel Cameron was involved in several important legal matters for Kentucky.
COVID-19 Pandemic Actions
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky, Cameron challenged some of Governor Beshear's rules that were put in place to stop the virus from spreading. Cameron argued that these rules limited the rights of Kentuckians. Governor Beshear, however, said that Cameron's actions could harm public health.
The Kentucky Supreme Court reviewed these challenges. In November 2020, the court decided that Governor Beshear's emergency orders during the pandemic were constitutional. Cameron also challenged the temporary closing of schools, but the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled against his challenge.
Breonna Taylor Investigation
In 2020, Daniel Cameron's office acted as a special prosecutor in the investigation into the incident involving Breonna Taylor. This case gained national attention and led to many protests across the United States.
After a state grand jury investigation, Cameron's office announced its decisions. One officer was charged with actions that endangered neighbors by firing into an adjacent apartment. However, Cameron's office decided not to charge the other officers involved, stating their actions were justified.
This decision led to widespread protests and strong reactions. Many people demanded that more charges be brought. In July 2020, over 100 protestors marched to Cameron's house. Police arrested many of them for trespassing.
A grand juror later stated that Cameron had not fully presented all possible charges to the grand jury. Cameron disagreed, saying he presented a complete case. In January 2021, three grand jurors asked the Kentucky House of Representatives to consider removing Cameron from office, saying he mishandled the case.
In August 2022, the United States Department of Justice filed its own charges against four officers involved in the incident. They said the officers had made false statements and tried to cover things up. This led to more questions about the state investigation led by Cameron's office.
National Recognition
After becoming Attorney General, Daniel Cameron was seen as a rising figure 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 Supreme Court of the United States.
2023 Gubernatorial Campaign
On May 11, 2022, Daniel Cameron announced he would run for governor of Kentucky. He criticized Governor Andy Beshear's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Former President Donald Trump supported Cameron's campaign.
Cameron won the Republican primary election. He chose State Senator Robby Mills as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. Cameron was the first African-American person from a major party to run for governor in Kentucky's history. He ran against Governor Beshear in the election on November 7, 2023, but lost.
Future Plans
On February 20, 2025, Daniel Cameron announced that he plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat that will be open in 2026. This seat is currently held by Mitch McConnell, who will be leaving.
Personal Life
Daniel Cameron was married to Elizabeth Cameron in 2016, but they divorced the next year. He married Makenze Evans, a schoolteacher, on July 31, 2020. Senator Mitch McConnell attended their wedding. They welcomed their first child on January 5, 2022.
See also
In Spanish: Daniel Jay Cameron para niños
- Donald Trump Supreme Court candidates
