EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Cameron, Kentucky’s Republican lawyer normal and nominee for governor, is upping his assaults towards incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s dealing with of violent crime throughout the commonwealth following a serious police group flipping its endorsement to the GOP challenger.
Talking with Fox Information Digital simply weeks from Election Day in essentially the most extremely anticipated race of the yr, Cameron touted the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police’s (FOP) endorsement flip after endorsing Beshear in 2019, arguing it was the results of the “havoc” unleashed by the governor on Kentucky communities when it got here to violent crime.
“I believe the Kentucky state FOP, which is the biggest regulation enforcement group within the state, has proven nice confidence in our marketing campaign and our dedication to standing up for our regulation enforcement group, which is in distinction with Andy Beshear, who solely does it when it’s handy,” Cameron stated.
“This governor unleashed havoc on our communities in some ways. This is a governor that in 2020 set free 1,700 criminals from jail — and a 3rd of these recommitted offenses in our communities,” he stated, referencing Beshear’s early launch of some inmates amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Republican Kentucky Lawyer Common Daniel Cameron (left) and Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (proper). (Getty Photographs)
The FOP’s flip to Cameron, though vital, is not the primary time the group has shifted its help between events. Along with Beshear in 2019, the group additionally endorsed the Democratic candidate for governor in 2015 and 2007, however switched to the Republican candidate in 2011. The group’s endorsed candidates in 2011 and 2015 weren’t elected.
Cameron advised Fox that regulation enforcement wished “management within the governor’s workplace that is going to again them not solely in phrase, but in addition in deed,” and stated he would implement insurance policies aimed toward recruiting and retaining officers, in addition to set up a Kentucky State Police publish in Louisville, the biggest metropolis within the commonwealth.
Final month, Cameron unveiled a 12-point public security plan to rein in crime throughout Kentucky, which incorporates, along with his beforehand talked about insurance policies, pursuing the dying penalty for somebody who murders a police officer, reforming the parole board, elevated penalties for drug traffickers who kill Kentuckians, and passing a standalone carjacking statute.
When requested concerning the plan, Cameron stated he wished it to be a mannequin for different states throughout the nation coping with elevated crime, together with Democrat-led states like California, New York and Illinois.
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Republican Kentucky Lawyer Common and nominee for governor Daniel Cameron talks with cops whereas on the marketing campaign path. (Daniel Cameron for Governor)
“I actually need Kentucky to guide the nation on a large number of things, whether or not it is addressing the problem of violent crime or training,” he stated. “However because it pertains particularly to violent crime, I actually assume that placing cash behind our effort, that means ensuring that our regulation enforcement group is aware of that they’re supported with funding and assets in order that morale improves amongst their ranks, in order that they really feel like they’re able to do their job successfully.”
“We all know from the previous adage that should you handle the small issues, then you may keep away from the bigger societal points that come up. And so it’s a sturdy 12-point plan,” he stated.
Cameron went on to blast what he referred to as Beshear’s — in addition to President Biden’s — lack of motion to deal with the problem of fentanyl pouring onto American streets from overseas.
“Beshear, hasn’t finished something to deal with this difficulty or to push again towards the Biden administration that has been inept at controlling and sustaining our southern border. [He] is beholden to the far left and to Joe Biden, and so he can’t communicate out on these actually massive points which can be essential to our residents right here in Kentucky,” he stated.
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Republican Kentucky Lawyer Common and nominee for governor waves to supporters throughout a parade alongside spouse, Makenze, and son, Theodore. (Daniel Cameron for Governor)
Along with the FOP, Cameron has been endorsed by virtually 200 regulation enforcement officers from throughout the commonwealth. Nevertheless, Beshear has additionally obtained his justifiable share of regulation enforcement help.
Greater than 35 regulation enforcement officers introduced their endorsement of Beshear over Cameron in June, however the latter dismissed that help, saying his “dwarfs” what Beshear has obtained. Cameron added that his endorsements had been proof that regulation enforcement coverage within the commonwealth wanted a brand new course.
“That new course is a governor within the type of me that can stand with them, not simply when it is handy, however will stand with them when occasions are difficult, when occasions are good,” he stated. “I am all the time going to be there for our regulation enforcement group as a result of I do know on the finish of the day, help for our regulation enforcement group implies that we are able to maintain our streets protected of crime and medicines. Andy Beshear would not perceive that.”
When reached for remark, Beshear’s marketing campaign slammed Cameron for his claims that violent crime has continued to extend throughout the commonwealth, pointing to his position as lawyer normal in the course of the interval he says crime has risen.
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Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear sits for an interview in Versailles, Ky. on Might 17, 2023. (AP Picture/Timothy D. Easley, File)
“Daniel Cameron has refused to take any accountability for crime as lawyer normal and helped cowl for Matt Bevin’s indefensible pardons for murderers and a toddler rapist,” Beshear marketing campaign spokesperson Alex Floyd advised Fox, referencing the governor’s Republican predecessor’s controversial pardons forward of leaving workplace.
“Underneath Andy Beshear, violent crime charges are down and pay for state troopers is up. Not like Daniel Cameron’s document of masking for criminals and mendacity about grand jury proceedings, Andy Beshear really delivered pay raises for regulation enforcement – resulting in the biggest Kentucky State Police recruiting class in years,” he added.
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Floyd’s assertion about violent crime being down in Kentucky was in reference to the report on the commonwealth’s 2022 crime statistics launched final month that confirmed a double-digit drop in homicides, robberies and drug offenses from 2021.
The report initially confirmed a drop of 33.4% in reported homicides, however revelations that Jefferson County, which accommodates Louisville, undercounted murders reported by the police division introduced the discount to 17.9%, nonetheless a double-digit drop from the earlier yr.
