Kentucky's 2023 general election is less than 30 days away.

Candidates are ramping up their campaign appearances and attempt to connect with voters.

Last week, I spoke with Republican nominee Daniel Cameron and a wide ranging interview about his background and his stance on some critical public policy issues.

But there are some questions he has yet to be asked when it comes to race.

Here is part of our conversation.

You've come out rather boldly against the diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs and companies, law firms, and even 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 benefited 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 have said this, the only way to do that 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 4.0 GPA, did pretty well in undergrad and was, uh, 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.

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

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

We're saying that you did it because of merit.

And I think that's really important.

The other thing I'll make.

Do 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 a fallen people and sin exists in our world and sin will always exist in our world.

It is the hands and feet of Christ.

We've got a responsibility to address that.

And racism.

Is.

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

But at 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 and I have talked about this before.

And when I jumped into this primary to be the Republican nominee for governor, I 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 and they care about your work ethic.

And that is what the ultimate judge and 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.

It would be an extreme honor in the same way that I've been honored to be the first black attorney general, an independently elected statewide office holder.

It's a great honor.

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

And I'm honored.

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

And you've 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.

Now you can see my full interview with General Daniel Cameron on connections this coming Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, 1030 Central right here on KCET.