>> a conversation with the Republican nominee for Governor Daniel Cameron.

We talk about his family background.

Why he wants to be governor.

He's driving messages on the campaign trail.

And if race is a factor in his effort to take up residency in the governor's mansion, that's now on connections.

♪ ♪ Thank you for joining us today on connections.

I'm Renee Shaw.

>> We're continuing our candidate conversations as we inch ever closer to Election Day Tuesday, November 7th.

>> We extended invitations to both gubernatorial candidates to appear on connections.

The governor declined Republican Daniel Cameron is with us today to talk about growing up in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, working at his parents coffee shop, his connections to U.S..

Senator Mitch McConnell, why he wants to be governor and historical significance of his nomination and what a victory would main as an African-American general camera.

It's a pleasure to have you.

Thank you so much.

Renee, thank you as always.

How's it going for ya?

>> It's going well.

I mean, we're office is obviously in the last month or so of this campaign and feel very good about things and feel like we have a lot of momentum on our side and we'll have a new governor come November 7th and I'm excited about that.

Yes, a lot of road miles are putting on an absolute talking about like going where you are the day, a side track as we get your press busy, you are.

Well, look, this is an important race and I want folks rather you what regardless of where you are in the commonwealth to know that I'm working really hard to try to show up in your community and talk about the issues that you care about.

And we feel like we've gotten a good response from people.

>> And again, I'm excited.

I mean, this is the biggest governor's race in the country this year.

There's one, Louisiana.

There's Mississippi in Kentucky in eyes of the nation are going to be in the Commonwealth Fund.

I'm certain that we're going to respond and say that we want a governor that respects in stands up for our values and will stand up to Joe Biden.

That's type of governor will be.

Yeah.

>> Well, I want people to know a little bit more about your.

We'll talk a lot about the issues when you and the governor appear on another program.

But what about the person bit about that on your schedule sites?

Absolute.

But tell us about your background because you're not a native Kentucky in, but you got here.

How?

Well I got here pretty fast.

I was born in Plano, Texas, but was there for about a couple of >> They literally were just waiting on me to be born before my dad had been a transfer by federal express to Elizabeth So they're literally just waiting to be born.

And so after 2 months, I was in the town's all my formative years.

Have Ryan in my dad worked for Federal Express.

My mom worked for Dow Corning at some in around 1990, they decided to open up their own business.

The first business they had was a a you see those water jugs that are offices.

That was their first business.

They were distributing those across town and then they got into the the tea and spices business.

And from there the coffee business and I have had a couple of different iterations.

The first was Cameron Coffee cameras coffee and then Zacks Coffee and a learn to do probably way too early.

An age.

How to make cappuccino.

>> I bet you make the best one and that how?

Well, you know, my parents you know, beg to differ that I was when I was young.

That's for sure right now.

But I do like like coffee down and, you know, my parents not only make coffee, but they made sandwiches as well.

In fact, if you ask folks in the town of the big sandwiches they made was called a veggie bagel.

I still to this day talk about that veggie bagel that they may.

There were some secret saw some okay, concocted a well-known for avocado toast.

U.S. precisely right.

But you know that the business closed the mid 2 I had a good run.

Yeah.

And people still to this day.

Talk about it.

A lot of my a formative years were spent working in that shop n it was a cross section of our community.

A lot of folks from different walks of life came in there.

And so I went on the ball field or a church.

I was in that store, right?

And when people hear you say eat out for those who are not in the know that those of us who know I'm like holiday town.

>> I want to talk about when you met the U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell because you were his a legal counsel before that you met him in college and you were up and gotten a scholarship.

McConnell scholar talk about his influence on your life, not just your political perspective and aspirations, but personally.

>> Well, as a young kid, I mean, obviously you watch television.

You see the senator from Kentucky, Senator McConnell that see him on television.

I that's really my my parents were conservatives, a group in a conservative household.

So for me, it was Reagan.

Bush.

Those were sort of the memories I had my very early on and so from there was Senator McConnell.

He was standing up for your principles and in DC and then I had the occasion to meet him when I was a senior in high school applying for the Macau Scholars program.

And at that time he was the majority whip in the United States Senate.

And I remember going to that program doing the interview.

My mom was there with me and we we walked up to take a photo with him and I how needed is to have somebody that's working daily in Washington, D.C., to to be here taking this photo with me interested in where I'm from and interested in in my future.

And the Macau Scholars Program is a program that's about, you know, developing young folks to do a lot of different things with it.

But but with the focus of civic leadership, you could be on any side of the aisle.

But this program was available to you.

And that just meant a lot to in course, from there.

Obviously he's a big avid football fan who I happen to play a little football knowledge at U of L play a very generous term, as I've told people But we bonded over that.

you know, my political philosophy and he's been a good friend for a number of years.

>> Does that singular connection of being connected to Senator McConnell?

Has that been formative for you in terms of your trajectory and your political aspirations without his influence, do you think things will be different?

>> Well, I you know, certainly grateful for the McConnell scholars program and then obviously stated U of L for law school and after that, a clerk for a federal judge for 2 Then I worked it Stites and Harbison and did that for a while and then went up to DC to be a Senator.

McConnell's legal counsel got to work on some really neat things where there was judicial nominations and appointments whether it was working with our law enforcement community.

Back here, working on the farm bill.

Those really need experiences.

And so when I came back in June of 2017, I had no notion I I was content to go to Frost, Brown, Todd and try to work my way up the ladder to be a partner there.

And so really wasn't until a.

Roughly the end of 2018 where some friends within the law enforcement community in the legal community.

I encourage you to seriously look at the race for attorney general on I prayed about it and consulted my mom and others and ultimately made the decision to jump in, but certainly whether its leader McConnell or Senator Paul or a whole host of people, my mom, my dad, my wife, Mackenzie.

Now they've all been really.

in supporting me is I've the run for attorney general and now for governor.

>> When we think about the influence that Senator McConnell is on the entire political landscape and the judiciary that you alluded to, right?

I mean, it's an indelible mark.

His legacy is he's behind you.

But we also know that former President Donald Trump has endorsed to him.

We've seen many of us think Senator McConnell was more low key during the primary that he didn't seem to be as visible in your corner.

Him.

When you think about whose endorsement whose influence means more to you in this quest to become governor, is it Mitch McConnell or is it President Donald Trump?

>> Well, the endorsement that means the most to me the folks that go to the polls on November.

7th.

But I want Kentucky INS and look at what I hope to done during the primary and now is to unify as many people around the message that that we need a governor that is focused on these foundational issues that are really important for commonwealth issues like reducing the crime rate, making sure that we have world class.

Schools and a world-class education system making sure that we get our income tax down as far as we possibly can so that we can compete in attract people into the state.

And so obviously I'm glad to have the endorsement of President Trump and, you know, he's been the voice for a lot.

Still are working.

Absolutely.

He's been the voice for a lot of hard, you know, so much so that Renee, you know, Andy Beshear is now running an ad on television trying to suggest that somehow Donald Trump has endorsed his campaign.

That simply could not be further from the truth.

I mean, Donald Trump would never endorse a candidate that's let out 2000 criminals.

Donald Trump would never endorse a candidate that has vetoed legislation to protect women's sports from biological males a President Trump would certainly never support a candidate that shut our schools down for nearly 2 years.

But that is Andy Beshear.

And I think it's somewhat laughable that he would try to suggest in some way that he's connected to Donald Trump.

But I think it demonstrates how President Trump has been in supporting the working class folks of our Commonwealth and this country.

>> Many people bemoan the state of politics, particularly national politics, right?

So divisive tribal, many people have called it.

They don't see their connection at all.

And they think that leaders are just power mongering and self-centered and self-directed either they're far left or the far right who was your message designed to persuade you've you've got Republicans.

You talked about unity.

Are you trying to get to the swing voters, independent voters with your message?

Do you think it resonates?

>> Well, look what I've felt as I travel across the state is that there so many parents and grandparents and I never really know their political affiliation.

I don't know if there Republican, Democrat or independent.

But I know that talked a lot of parents and grandparents that are concerned about the future for their kids and in particular when it comes to our education system, they want to make sure that we have schools that are about reading writing and math.

And I know a lot of teachers and look, let me just say that there's a teacher watching right now.

Want to know that under my leadership of the Republican Party is going to value and appreciate you have said that.

>> And you've apologized for Republicans who may have offended and I apologize because again, as I offer these ideas on education and we've offered the Cameron Catch a plan.

I want to do it from the spirit of humility and my wife is a teacher.

She spent nearly 7 years in the Oldham County School System.

My sister-in-law teaches in JCPS right now.

My mother retired as a public educator, so education is really important to us.

And it's important to parents and grandparents and in a lot of our kids because of the decision by Andy Beshear to shut our schools down, have fallen behind.

And I think we owe it is folks that are in leadership to figure out a way to catch our kids up.

And that's what our education plan is about.

And that's what I've been talking to parents and grandparents about again, making sure our schools are about reading writing and math and they are incubators for liberal and progressive ideas.

>> But many public educators, General Cameron are concerned about what you're not saying and that's about a school vouchers scholarship tax credits.

The privatization of education.

That's what they fear.

You're still going to pursue those school choice issues and those concerns.

If you are elected governor current?

Well, when times talked about in my first budget, we will be prioritizing public education because the majority of our kids are in our public schools.

>> And so we have a responsibility to undo the damage and harm that Andy Beshear did by shutting our schools down.

I mean, if you look at any of the indicator for success, whether it's reading science or math.

Her kids have fallen behind on those issues.

Now, Andy Beshear certainly.

Professes a profound appreciation for public education, but has actively tried to undermine did as governor.

I mean, he shut our schools down and because of his indifference to school, there are a lot of kids that have been indifferent to going to the classroom.

So much so that chronic absenteeism.

Is at 30%, which is a high for the state.

That means their kids are not even they're barely even going to school.

And I think again, as the leader in this state, particularly as it relates to our public education system, again, I I will continue to say this.

Not only on November 6th, but I'm going to be seeing it on November 8th when I'm the governor elect here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky that we have got to look out for our teachers.

We've got to make sure that we take care of our public education system.

Look, I believe.

As a Republican nominee for governor said this, we need to increase the pay of our teachers.

I think we're in the bottom 40's in terms of starting pay, that that that has to change, particularly if we want our teachers focused on our students, building those connections so that our kids can be the best and brightest version of and so starting pay.

You want to increase.

But what about retaining the teachers already in the classroom?

What kind of boost with they say?

Well, that's the important part of my plan as well.

Is that.

>> We want to give a discretionary fund to superintendents to make sure that those teachers >> that are in the classroom and have been there that they can receive additional bonuses and rewards, but also believe if we increase the starting pay because of the way in which our system works, it will make sure that there's a ripple effect through our school systems to raise the pay of all of our teachers.

And again, I think the other thing that's really important to note here as well.

That on the topic of education.

Andy Beshear has been in office for roughly 3 and a half years and he's done nothing for teachers.

Instead, he's created division within Frankfort, such that there's no relationship between him and the Legislature.

Before I unveiled my education plan.

I talked to the members of the legislature because it's that important to me that they that I received there by and so that we can actually get this thing done because if we get it done, it's going to be good for our kids because we'll have a 16 week program in which to help catch them up on those indicators for success.

But it also be good for teachers because we're going to make sure that they're in a position to increase their salaries and restore discipline to the classroom and make sure that we're getting rid of some of the bureaucracy that exist.

My wife would come home from school some time.

Talk about filling out the professional growth plan.

The PGP, if you will.

She submit that and never get any feedback on it again, if we're going to do those things, we want to make sure that are that the development of our teachers, it is actually something that we're prioritizing and not just doing paperwork for paperwork.

So we should note that the governor has in his budget addresses and his proposals and recommendations to the General Assembly proposed pay increases for teachers directly out right?

>> Not just through a larger appropriation to the seek formula or the education overall education budget.

And let me just say on that point that front as well.

I mean, it's one thing to make an announcement about a plan.

It's another thing to do the hard in difficult work of working with the legislature to actually get it done.

Andy Beshear's gotten good and making announcements.

Particularly in an election year.

But he hasn't been good at developing the relationships to actually get these things done.

And that's the difference between unity, Beshear.

If we care about quality education, we care about reducing the crime rate.

If we care increasing our workforce, you've got to do the hard work of actually making sure developed relationships with our legislature to get those things done.

And of all those things you mentioned, one of the things you haven't mentioned is there's been a really critical focus on transgender issues, abortion.

And like I said, we're going to try to KET this interview just to some other matters to us offical in conversation and let you debate those issues with the governor.

But we think about how important that seems to be to the campaign that you're running.

>> Transgender issues, some people would say are you you're is running even more to the right.

So for a moderate Kentucky voter, what are you offering them?

>> Well, Renee, what what I will say to use that this is actually the first time this is came up in this conversation.

I mean, what I have try to talk about is education.

Try to talk about the fact that there's been a governor that is let out 2000 criminals and made it challenging on the public safety front and want to talk about workforce as well.

Because I know there are a lot of employers that are I'm struggling right now because they cannot find people to work there facilities in their plants and in their businesses.

And I think we have to make sure that we're addressing those issues.

And those are things that I'm going to work on again.

Education crime workforce, of course, as I've said repeatedly, I think you do need a governor.

That is is willing to say and is willing to support Legislature islay shun that protects women's sports from biological males.

I think most parents at home want to make sure that their daughters and granddaughters have a fair opportunity to compete in their I think that's a common sense idea.

But when we think about this race in what is at stake, it's our kids and our grandkids.

It's about making sure that they have quality education.

It's about making sure as well in my view that we eliminate our state's income tax.

If we want to.

Encourage people to get back to work, I think we can do that through, you know, making sure that government encourage is that.

But also let's not penalize people for going to work in the morning.

Let's eliminate that income.

And so you have also recently proposed a petitioning the federal government to allow you to institute what would be, I assume, a waiver for Medicaid.

>> They would institute a rules for able bodied Kentucky hands.

2 get off the Medicaid rolls in to go to work remain.

I appreciate you saying that because this is about able-bodied individual.

What is an able-bodied individual.

Someone as I think most people at home with with consider someone who's able to go to work and as a Medicaid exists right now.

And look, I understand from talking to a lot of healthcare providers that the expansion of Medicaid was really important.

And I'm telling you right now now I'll say this until I'm blue in the face that I will not cut Medicaid.

And I know Andy Beshear is running a campaign ad right now about me cutting.

>> A Medicare for our seniors.

I'm not going to do that either.

What I want to do and I think this is a common-sense idea if we want Medicaid to stay solvent for those that are considered means tested in medically necessary.

We want to stay solvent for that.

Those folks that are able-bodied individuals.

We need to transition them back to work, many able-bodied Kentuckians could be working numbers.

Well, I think it's an important to to make sure that any of those folks.

>> We're transitioning them back into the workforce.

Again, Governor Beshear.

You know, top touts his economic agenda, but he leaves out the fact that since.

He's taking the oath of office, there are few or Kentuckyian is working.

The the BLS.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that there's roughly 27,000 Feuer Kentucky is working right now.

In addition to that, there's roughly 80,000 people that are on unemployment benefits in 10's of thousands that are not even looking.

And that leads us to the 47th Lewis workforce participation rate in the again, as I talk to people here in our Commonwealth, employers are saying we cannot find people to work.

And I think it's important for government to encourage people again, particularly those that are able-bodied individuals.

Let's get them working And I think that's important for a governor to to address.

You've come out rather boldly against Dei diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs and companies.

Law firms.

>> And even I have, I think, a scantily known minority management program in state government.

Have you yourself benefited from those types of programs that seek to level the playing field.

Some would say for African-Americans who have historically been discriminated against.

Haven't you yourself benefitted from those programs now that you denounce?

Well, look, I think what is really important is that if we want to in the Supreme Court has said this, the only way to got to stop discriminating based upon race is to stop discriminating based upon race.

>> And, you know, I'm proud of my record came out of high school with a 4 point.

Oh, GPA.

Did pretty well in undergrad did very well in law school as well.

So much so that I got a federal clerkship.

And I think it's, you know, one of the things that I think makes this conversation really difficult is that.

You look at me and think, well, you know, Daniel, you've done a good job, but maybe it's because of the color of your skin.

I want to get to a place in this commonwealth in this country.

And we're not saying, well, maybe you did that because of the color of your skin were saying that you did it because of merit.

And I think that's really important.

The other thing I'll make you believe that racism still exists.

>> The other thing, well, let me on that front.

I mean, there are going to always be challenges.

Look, we are fallen people and send exist in our world and soon will always exist in our world.

It is the hands and feet of Christ.

We've got a responsibility to address that and racism essential.

I and I think, you know, any any of the stuff exist in our world and we've got to be willing to address that.

But the same time, you know, look, when I ran for attorney general in 2019, I never once considered well because I'm black.

I cannot win this race.

And you have talked about this before.

In the end when I jumped into this to to to be the Republican nominee for governor.

Never thought I can't win this race because I'm black.

What I thought and what I continue to think is that people here in Kentucky care about your values in the care about your work ethic and that is what the ultimate judge in decision should be as it relates to anything in this country.

>> Do you believe Kentucky is ready to elect the first black governor?

I think Kentucky is ready to elect somebody that reflects their values.

And I happen to be black and I would be honored to be the first black American to be the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky would be an extreme honor its than the same way that I've been honored to be the first black attorney general, an independently elected statewide officeholder.

It's a great honor.

And I and I look, I hope their kids at home right now that see me and say because you can do it regardless of political affiliation, I can do that as well.

And I'm honored.

But at the end of the day, this is going to be about values.

And you got me who's going to be willing to stand up to Joe Biden?

And you've got Andy Beshear that is beholden to Joe Biden.

So much so.

That Andy Beshear's gotten $250,000 from Joe Biden to his campaign making Joe Biden, the largest contributor team issue because he has done his bidding here.

But it was shutting down our churches where there was shutting down our small businesses where there was shutting down our schools.

Weather was letting criminals out of jail.

These are all things.

And Andy Beshear has done on his watch and that isn't reflective of the values of the men, women and children of our 120 counties.

>> I am going to ask you about abortion and not about where the stances have been right.

>> But about what you believe general camera, not if the courts were to mandate it, not if the legislature were to send you a bill and your heart of hearts.

What do you believe about abortion rights or pro-life?

Well, I look >> my views on this are shaped by my faith and I think we have a responsibility.

To our unborn to take to KET them alive and I know that as as I've talked about earlier with Mario earlier this week, this is a sensitive issue.

And I understand that.

And I want to be in the responsible position making sure that I speak gently and kindly about this because I know that there are a range of opinion on this topic.

And yes, I'm pro-life.

Yes, I believe firmly that we need to protect our unborn.

But I understand whether it's the young lady in the ad other Kentucky INS, they have different views from me.

But I certainly Im going to continue to talk about the responsibility that we have to protect the unborn.

And let me just say, you know, this is in contrast, the new this year who when he was in my position as attorney general, he refused to defend a 20 week ban on abortion.

As governor.

He has vetoed a 15 week ban on abortion in 2022.

He signed legislation or signed a pledge if you will saying the taxpayer should pay for abortions in just recently refused to sign a bill.

That we KET a baby alive after a failed abortion.

Again, I don't think that's reflective of the majority of Kentuckians.

I am pro-life and there's no no way I'll ever walk away from that.

Firmly.

Believe that.

Right now we have a governor.

In a in the Bashir who?

His values on this issue are inconsistent with the majority of Kentuckians.

>> State Senator Whitney Westerfield, who was a dish area chairman of the Senate has filed a bill draft that would in this is my final question.

General Cameron, that would essentially get beyond this conversation.

The post office conversation into how do we aid pregnant women?

So.

Are you for and large in public assistance programs that would support pregnant women who would not legally be able to get an abortion in Kentucky.

>> I absolutely am.

And I've made that clear.

I mean, even something like a universal Pre-K, I think should be on the table, particularly if we care about lives.

We care about life.

I think it's important that we have.

Really robust conversation about how we can, whether it's foster care, whether it's expanding level of public benefits.

We need to have that conversation and someone who is pro life needs to be actively engaged in that.

>> Commerce and are you going to push for that conversation to be had in the next session of the General Assembly?

Should you become governor?

I certainly will along with Whitney and others.

Again, if we are pro life, we need to figure out ways to help.

>> Mothers and families more broadly and make sure that fathers are engaged in the life of the mother and the child.

Those are really important parts of this conversation.

And I will be fully supportive of those efforts.

>> Well, Joe Camera, I thank you for your time of taking a little bit more than may be promised or said I would.

But I appreciate talking.

I appreciate your candor and being here with us today.

Thank you.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

>> Thank you for joining us for connections today and stay up on the latest on the campaign trail each week night at 6.30, Eastern 5.30, central on KET Kentucky Edition.

Connect with me on Facebook X, formerly known as Twitter and Instagram.

Until I see you again.

Take really good care.