LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Former Kentucky Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron announced on social media he is running in the 2026 Kentucky Senate Race to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. 

What You Need To Know

  • Daniel Cameron announced he plans to run for Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat in the U.S. Senate

  • Cameron served as Kentucky's 51st attorney general from Jan. 2020 through Jan. 2024 

  • He also previously served as legal counsel to McConnell

  • McConnell, first elected in 1984, intends to serve the remainder of his term ending in Jan. 2027

Cameron's announcement comes roughly just an hour after McConnell announced he won't seek reelection next year. McConnell is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history. 

"Kentucky, it's time for a new generation of leadership in the U.S. Senate," Cameron said. "Let's do this."

Cameron served as the Commonwealth of Kentucky's 51st attorney general until Jan. 1, 2024. He was the first Republican elected to the attorney general's office since 1948 and also made history as the first African American independently elected to statewide office in Kentucky's history. He previously served as legal counsel to McConnell.

Cameron also ran in the 2024 Kentucky gubernatorial race but lost to incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky. 

McConnell, first elected in 1984, intends to serve the remainder of his term ending in Jan. 2027.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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