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'I'm not running to impress Washington': Cameron casts his campaign as Kentucky-centered, anti-special interest

Former Kentucky Attorney General and candidate for U.S. Senate Daniel Cameron speaks on stage during the Kenton County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Covington, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
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FR171965 AP
Former Kentucky Attorney General and candidate for U.S. Senate Daniel Cameron speaks on stage during the Kenton County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Covington, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Cameron is launching a statewide "Kentucky First" Tour, meant to differentiate himself from fellow candidate Andy Barr — who received an endorsement from President Donald Trump last week.

With businessman Nate Morris departing the GOP Senate primary for an ambassador position with the Trump administration, Cameron says the contest is down to a two-man race and he's vowing to keep up the fight.

"And I'm choosing a different path," Cameron said. "I'm choosing to show up. I'm choosing to meet people in this commonwealth where they are. And I'm choosing to listen."

Cameron said the "Kentucky First" branding isn't a repudiation of the "America First" movement spearheaded by Trump and championed by Congressman Barr, but he is making an argument that his candidacy is more closely tied to Kentucky than Washington.

Commenting on the sudden about face in the bitter feud between Barr and Morris following Morris' decision to drop out, Cameron took aim at what he repeatedly described as "the swamp" in D.C.

"Look, it's politics at its worst," Cameron said. "It's the swamp being the swamp, and what I'm focused on is garnering as much support, since that decision has been made, for people to come to this camp because they know authenticity means something."

Cameron is now positioning his campaign as one that can bring together center-right, MAGA, and liberty-minded Republicans under one tent, as he seeks to overcome any boost the Trump endorsement may have given to his remaining high-profile opponent.