Daniel Cameron (Kentucky politician)

Last updated

Daniel Cameron
51st Attorney General of Kentucky
Assumed office
January 6, 2020
Acting: December 17, 2019 – January 6, 2020
GovernorAndy Beshear
Preceded by Andy Beshear
Personal details
Born
Daniel Jay Cameron

(1985-11-22) November 22, 1985 (age 34)
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s)
Elizabeth Cameron
​
​
(m. 2016⁠–⁠2017)​
[ citation needed ]
Education University of Louisville (BS, JD)
Website Official website

Daniel Jay Cameron (born November 22, 1985) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 51st Attorney General of Kentucky. [1] Cameron is the first Republican elected to the office since 1944 and the first African-American attorney general of Kentucky.

Contents

Early life and education

Cameron was born and raised in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. [2] His mother was a professor at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and his father owned a local coffee shop. [3] Cameron attended John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown and won a prize scholarship named in honor of Senator Mitch McConnell to attend the University of Louisville. [4] [2] [5] At Louisville, Cameron played on the Louisville Cardinals football team in 2005 and 2006. [5] A defensive back, Cameron came off the bench for the first two games of the 2006 season, during which Louisville won the 2007 Orange Bowl. [5] [6]

He graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in 2008, and then graduated in 2011 with a Juris Doctor from the university's Brandeis School of Law [2] where he was president of the Student Bar Association. [7]

Career

Judicial clerkship

Cameron clerked for Federal District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove in the Eastern District of Kentucky Federal District Court for two years. [3]

Protégée of Senator McConnell

After the clerkship with Judge Tatenhove, Cameron served as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s legal counsel from 2015 to 2017. As McConnell's counsel Cameron successfully spearheaded the confirmation processes for conservative federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. [3] [8] [9]

Return to Louisville

In 2017, Cameron moved back to Louisville and joined the law firm Frost Brown Todd as a senior associate. [3] [10]

2019 election

Cameron declared that he was running for Attorney General of Kentucky on January 21, 2019. [11] He defeated State Senator Wil Schroder in the Republican primary by a margin of 132,400 (55.3%) votes to 106,950 (44.7%) votes. [12] [13] After the primary, Cameron was endorsed by President Donald Trump. [14] [15]

Cameron defeated Democratic former Attorney General Greg Stumbo in the November 2019 general election. [16] He is the first Republican elected to be attorney general of Kentucky since Eldon S. Dummit, who served from 1944 to 1948. [15] [17] He is also the state's first African-American attorney general. [14] Following Republican Lieutenant Governor Jenean Hampton, Cameron became Kentucky's second African-American statewide officer, and the first to be independently elected (given that Hampton had shared the 2015 gubernatorial ticket with Matt Bevin).

At the time of his election, Cameron was viewed by observers as a rising star in the Republican Party. [18]

Kentucky Attorney General

In November 2019, Cameron was the successful Republican nominee for attorney general, winning 57.8% of the vote in his defeat of Democratic nominee Greg Stumbo. [19] His term was scheduled to begin on January 6, 2020, [20] but on December 17, 2019, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order appointing Cameron to the office, filling the vacancy created when Beshear resigned after winning election to the governorship. [21] [22] [17] [23] Immediately after the order was signed, Cameron was officially sworn in. [24] [25]

Proposed abortion halt

On March 27, 2020, Cameron called for halting abortions in Kentucky during the coronavirus pandemic, arguing it was an elective medical procedure that should fall under the statewide ban for the duration of the pandemic. [26] During the closing days of the legislative session, the Kentucky legislature gave the attorney general power to regulate abortion clinics, but the legislation was vetoed by Governor Andy Beshear. [27]

Breonna Taylor case

Following the police killing of Breonna Taylor on March 13, 2020, the Louisville Police Department conducted an internal investigation on the case. On July 14, 2020, over 100 protestors organized by the social justice organization Until Freedom marched to Cameron's house and occupied his lawn to demand charges be brought to the officers involved in the killing. Police officers arrested 87 protestors and charged them with several crimes including Intimidating a Participant in the Legal Process, a Class D felony. Cameron accused the protestors of trespassing on private property and claimed the protest's purpose was to "escalate" tension and division in the community. [28] [29] [30]

On September 23, 2020, Cameron announced that the grand jury indicted officer Brett Hankison with three counts of wanton endangerment with regards to the family living next door. Officers Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove were not charged with any crimes and Cameron said that their firing into Taylor's apartment was a justified use of force. [31] Hankinson was previously terminated by interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder who said that Hankinson was for fired for indiscriminately shooting into Taylor's apartment and adjoining units. [32] [33] [34] When explaining why the grand jury did not return criminal charges against the police officers, Cameron choked up. "My heart breaks for the loss of Miss Taylor," he told a news conference in Frankfort, the state capital. The Associated Press reported that his voice faltered and he held back tears in saying, "My mother, if something was to happen to me, would find it very hard." Referring to Taylor's mother, Cameron said, "I've seen that pain on Miss (Tamika) Palmer's face." [35]

National politics

On August 24, 2020 Cameron spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention. [36]

In September 2020, Cameron appeared on a shortlist of potential Supreme Court nominees by President Donald Trump. [37] [38]

Personal life

Cameron has been married twice. His first marriage, to Elizabeth Cameron, lasted from 2016 to 2017. He was married a second time on July 31, 2020 in Louisville in a private ceremony with Senate Majority leader, Mitch McConnell, in attendance. [39] Cameron's office refused to release any information about Cameron's spouse, including her name. [40]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Cheves, John (November 5, 2019). "Daniel Cameron elected Kentucky attorney general, says he will support GOP leaders". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Neuhauser, Ken (May 15, 2011). "U of L's graduates get chance to shine". Courier - Journal.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Bailey, Phillip (December 21, 2018). "Mitch McConnell's former lawyer may run for Kentucky attorney general". Courier Journal. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Political buff goes from the Hill to the 'Ville: Louisville". Chicago Sun Times. October 4, 2006.
  5. 1 2 3 "Football UofLSports.com - University of Louisville Official Athletic Site". January 13, 2007. Archived from the original on January 13, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Football UofLSports.com - University of Louisville Official Athletic Site". April 16, 2008. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008.
  7. ↑ Duvall, Tessa (July 15, 2020). "What to know about Daniel Cameron, the attorney general deciding the Breonna Taylor case". The Courier-Journal . Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  8. ↑ "McConnell's legal counsel leaves Washington for CivicPoint in Louisville". Lane Report. July 25, 2017. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  9. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/02/politics/daniel-cameron-kentucky-attorney-general-breonna-taylor/index.html
  10. ↑ "Huddle". Politico. June 5, 2017. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Daniel Cameron announces candidacy for Kentucky Attorney General". lanereport.com. January 21, 2019. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  12. ↑ Wartman, Scott (May 14, 2019). "Kentucky AG candidate Wil Schroder shoots a TV, denounces 'illegals,' praises Trump, all in one ad". Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Kentucky Primary Election Results". New York Times. May 22, 2019. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  14. 1 2 Crain, Brennan (July 31, 2019). "Trump endorses Cameron for attorney general". WCLU. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  15. 1 2 "President Trump endorses Daniel Cameron in Kentucky attorney general race". WKYT-TV. July 29, 2019. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  16. ↑ Wiegel, David (May 23, 2019). "Democrats look past 2020". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  17. 1 2 "Daniel Cameron becomes Kentucky's first African American attorney general". wkyt.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  18. ↑ Wilson, Reid (November 13, 2019). "McConnell protege emerges as Kentucky's next rising star". The Hill . Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Republican Daniel Cameron wins Kentucky attorney general contest". WDRB TV. Louisville, KY. November 5, 2019.
  20. ↑ Cooney, Lynnette. "Andy Beshear appoints Attorney General-elect Daniel Cameron to fill remainder of his term". wymt.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Daniel Cameron Officially Sworn in As Attorney General". spectrumnews1.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  22. ↑ Baute, Sean. "Daniel Cameron sworn in as Kentucky attorney general". wave3.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Cameron to be sworn in as Ky. AG on Dec. 17".
  24. ↑ Easley, Timothy D.; Easley, Timothy D.; Desrochers, Daniel (December 10, 2019). "It's official: Andy Beshear sworn in as 63rd governor of Kentucky at midnight". Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Beshear to appoint AG-elect Cameron to complete rest of term". WHAS11. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  26. ↑ Olson, Tyler (March 28, 2020). "Kentucky AG calls for halt on abortions during coronavirus crisis". Fox News . Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  27. ↑ https://apnews.com/f04347b1dbab109cc61f179f7381c7cb - Kentucky's Democratic governor vetoes abortion legislation - AP News - By Bruce Schreiner -
  28. ↑ Tobin, Bailey Loosemore, Hayes Gardner and Ben. "Protesters converge on Daniel Cameron's Louisville home to demand justice for Breonna Taylor". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Kentucky AG Says Protesters Demanding Charges in Breonna Taylor Case Were 'Trespassing' in Front of His Home" . Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  30. ↑ "87 people charged with felonies after Breonna Taylor protest at attorney general's house". cbsnews.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  31. ↑ https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/23/breonna-taylor-decision-takeaways-camerons-investigation/3508067001/ Key takeaways from AG Daniel Cameron's investigation on the Breonna Taylor case - Darcy Costello - Louisville Courier Journal - Sept. 23, 2020
  32. ↑ https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/23/what-we-know-about-officer-brett-hankison-indicted-in-breonna-taylor-shooting/5490411002/ Former Detective Brett Hankison faces 3 charges after Breonna Taylor shooting - Darcy Costello and Tessa Duvall - Louisville Courier Journal - Sept. 23, 2020
  33. ↑ Staff. "Grand Jury Indicts Brett Hankison For Wanton Endangerment In Breonna Taylor Case". Kentucky Politics. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  34. ↑ Duvall, Darcy Costello and Tessa. "Who are the 3 Louisville officers involved in the Breonna Taylor shooting? What we know". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  35. ↑ Wagner, Lisa J. Adams; Schreiner, Bruce (September 24, 2020). "Black attorney general chokes up during Taylor announcement". Associated Press . Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  36. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/25/us/politics/daniel-cameron-rnc-speech.html - Transcript of Daniel Cameron's speech to 2020 Republican National Convention - New York Times - Maggie Astor - August 25, 2020
  37. ↑ Ladd, Andrew Wolfson, Ben Tobin and Sarah. "Trump lists Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron as potential US Supreme Court nominee". The Courier-Journal.
  38. ↑ Conradis, Brandon (September 9, 2020). "Trump unveils Supreme Court list, includes Cruz and Cotton". TheHill.
  39. ↑ https://www.wlky.com/article/ag-daniel-cameron-got-married-omcconnell-was-a-guest/33510740 AG Cameron got married Friday and Mitch McConnell was a guest - WLKY.com - August 4, 2020
  40. ↑ https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/08/03/kentucky-attorney-general-daniel-cameron-gets-married-louisville/5574927002/
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Preceded by
Andy Beshear 		Attorney General of Kentucky
2019–present		Incumbent
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