Former President Donald Trump’s assistance wasn’t enough to carry Attorney General Daniel Cameron across the finish line Tuesday. Two days before the election, Trump said his support boosted Cameron by 25 points. The day after the election, Trump said the McConnell connection was too much to overcome, while presidential candidate Chris Christie blamed the loss on Trump. Longtime political reporter Al Cross responded this way:
“Neither of Trump’s statements are true. And Chris Christie’s statement isn’t true. It turned out that Trump really didn’t have all that much effect in the election.”
Cross said what did have an impact was Governor Beshear’s ad against Cameron, featuring a woman who said she’d been raped by her stepfather and would be forced to give birth if Cameron had his way. He said while McConnell isn’t to blame for Cameron’s loss, behind the scenes, Kentucky’s senior senator played a big role in the Cameron campaign.
“I think it's safe to assume that Mitch McConnell played a leading role in raising money for the super PACs that spent more money than the Cameron campaign on his behalf. And in assigning his chief of staff Terry Carmack to be the campaign manager. Mitch McConnell was all in on this campaign.”
Cross said he agrees with those who say Governor Beshear will be in the national conversation in 2028 -- or perhaps next year, if President Biden leaves the race. Beshear has said he’ll serve every day of his second term.
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