Former Kentucky AG Cameron announces bid for McConnell seat hours after senator says will retire

Former Kentucky GOP Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced Thursday that he would be running for U.S. Senate in 2026.

"Kentucky, it's time for a new generation of leadership in the U.S. Senate. Let's do this," Cameron wrote on the social media platform, X.

This announcement came the same day former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced he would not seek reelection.

Cameron attempted to run for governor in 2023, but lost to current Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. 

Congressman Andy Barr, R-Ky., posted on Facebook that he was also considering jumping in the Senate race.

"As I’ve said before this announcement, I am considering running for Senate because Kentucky deserves a Senator who will fight for President Trump and the America First Agenda," his post reads.