Republican Senate candidate Daniel Cameron lavished praise Monday on Donald Trump and criticized his mentor Sen. Mitch McConnell, reflecting the president's dominance within the GOP and setting an early tone for what looks to be a competitive primary for a Kentucky Senate seat in 2026.

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron pitched his bid for outgoing Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) Senate seat. McConnell, who was first elected in 1984, announced last week he would not run for another term.

Daniel Cameron is no stranger to Kentucky politics and is now seeking a larger stage in Washington, D.C. Just minutes after Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell announced he would not run for reelection, Cameron shared he plans to run for the open seat.

Fresh off the news that Rep. Andy Barr is eyeing a run for the seat currently held by Sen. Mitch McConnell, Kentucky’s former attorney general — once hailed as a “star” by President Donald Trump — told the Herald-Leader Monday night that he’s looking forward to serving in the U.S. Senate.

So far, the only Kentucky Republican to officially announce his bid to fill McConnell's seat is former Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Daniel Cameron, Kentucky's former attorney general, wasted no time announcing he plans to run for Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat after McConnell retires.

Cameron made the announcement just minutes after longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, said he would not seek an eighth term to the U.S. Senate.

The former gubernatorial candidate came up short in 2023 but is widely seen as the GOP leader’s heir apparent.

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R), who recently launched a bid for the seat being vacated by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R), criticized his fellow Kentuckian for voting against confirming President Trump’s Cabinet picks,