Cameron makes pitch for governor’s office at “Red, White and Blue”
Daniel Cameron, the state’s attorney general and GOP candidate for governor, had the field to himself Thursday night in downtown Owensboro, when Cameron campaigned at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s “Red, White and Blue” political event.
Gov. Andy Beshear did not attend the event, so Cameron was able to fire several broadsides at Beshear, particularly criticizing decisions the Beshear administration made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is, in many ways, a race of crazy versus normal,” Cameron told the small audience, many dressed in GOP red, on the lawn of the Daviess County Courthouse.
“I think it’s crazy to have leadership in Frankfort that shuts down your churches, shuts down your businesses and shuts down your schools,” Cameron said.
Cameron also criticized the decision to grant early release to some state inmates during the Covid pandemic, citing a state report that says 68% of those released in April 2020 have committed a new felony or misdemeanor offense, while 69% of those released in August 2020 have also been charged with offenses. In both instances, the majority of new felony charges were for drug charges or property crimes, according to the report.
Cameron told the audience he has the endorsement of the state Fraternal Order of Police. “They know there will be a governor in Frankfort who will support them not only in word but in action,” Cameron said.
Cameron said he would also support public education, citing his wife, Mackenzie, a public school teacher. Cameron said he would also address what he claimed has been significant declines in student reading and science, which he attributed to schools shuttering at times during the pandemic.
Of teachers, Cameron said, “under my leadership, the Republican Party will support you,” and said he would advocate for teacher raises.
“I want to make sure teachers are getting every resource they need,” Cameron said. He said he would prevent schools from being “incubators for liberal and progressive ideas,” without further defining what he meant.
Cameron said his election would be a message to the county that, “we respect our values.”
The evening was also a chance for Owensboro City Commission candidates Jerry Ray Davis, Commissioner Sharon NeSmith and Titus Willis to tout their qualifications and visions for the seat.
NeSmith, who was appointed to the commission earlier this year, said her core values are built around the acronym “CITY,” with the letters standing for collaboration, communication, inclusiveness, transparency and asking questions such as “why,” among others.
NeSmith, who is the general manager of the Hampton Inn Downtown Owensboro-Waterfront, said she regularly hears hotel guests sing praises for the city, and said she wants to continue moving the city forward.
NeSmith said the work of previous commissioners have created an optimistic future for the city. NeSmith, who will be listed first on the Nov. 7 ballot, said, “I ask to be your number one vote for city commissioner in November,” and said she would be “your rationally optimistic city leader.”
Davis, owner of Jerry Ray Davis Chrysler Dodge Ram Jeep, said, “I’m a local businessman, I’m a local caregiver of our community, and I give back to our community.
“We want it to grow and we want it to stay safe,” Davis said.
He said he would address difficult issues.
“I don’t just want to table things,” he said, referring to a decision by commissioners earlier this year to table a motion to amend the city’s smoking ordinance to allow smoking in a proposed Churchill Downs facility that was then planned for Towne Square Mall. Churchill pulled out of the plan after the amendment was tabled.
Davis said he supports respecting veterans and senior citizens, and said, if elected, “I’ll be your voice, listen to you and help our city grow.”
Titus Willis, who is building his own cleaning business and taking a break from college to campaign for city commission, said he entered the race because “I felt like there needed to be a change, and I felt I could advocate that change for you all.
“I’ll do everything I can to make sure your voices are heard,” Willis said.
Willis, who is on the citizens advisory board for community development, said he would be an advocate for youth as well as other groups, and said he is working on a plan to revive the city’s youth council.
Of his campaign, Willis said, “we can come together and make a positive impact on our community.”
“I’m not political in any way, form or fashion,” Willis said. “I just want to do whatever I can to help this community.”
The audience also heard from candidates running for other state offices, including GOP Secretary of State Michael Adams, and both candidates for state Treasurer, Republican Mark Medcalf, and Democrat Michael Bowman.
By James Mayse Messenger-Inquirer