NEWS HEADLINES: Senate Candidate Under Fire: Ethics Probe into Donation Allegations Intensifies

Daniel Cameron calls ethics investigation “political persecution” as Kentucky officials launch probe into Senate candidate’s alleged improper solicitation of $30,000 donation from a company under investigation by his office while serving as Attorney General.

Key Takeaways

• Kentucky’s Executive Branch Ethics Commission is investigating Senate candidate Daniel Cameron for allegedly soliciting $30,000 from executives of Edgewater Recovery Centers while his office was scrutinizing the organization.
• Cameron could face a civil penalty of up to $5,000 if found in violation of state ethics laws, with the case currently under review by an administrative law judge.
• The Senate candidate has labeled the investigation “Democratic lawfare” and compared it to legal actions against President Trump, claiming he recused himself from the review once aware of the conflict.
• The investigation was initiated by a complaint from the Democrat-affiliated state AFL-CIO and advocated by Democratic Governor Andy Beshear during Cameron’s failed gubernatorial campaign.
• Despite the controversy, Cameron currently leads in GOP polls for Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat by 26 percentage points over his closest competitor, Rep. Andy Barr.

Ethics Commission Launches Investigation

Kentucky’s Executive Branch Ethics Commission has formally opened an investigation into Senate candidate Daniel Cameron over allegations that he improperly solicited campaign donations while serving as Attorney General. The probe centers on claims that Cameron used his official position to seek contributions from executives at Edgewater Recovery Centers, a substance abuse treatment organization that was under scrutiny by his office at the time. According to documents from the ethics commission, Cameron allegedly contacted a business owner in spring 2022 seeking a minimum contribution of $30,000 for his gubernatorial campaign.

During the conversation, Cameron referred to his official position as attorney general, referenced his office’s duties and asked for a specific minimum contribution of $30,000, the ethics commission stated in its documentation. Reports indicate that Edgewater executives ultimately donated $7,600 to Cameron’s campaign for governor, though sources close to the organization claim these funds were returned once the transactions became public. If found in violation of state ethics law, Cameron could face a civil penalty of up to $5,000.

Cameron Denounces “Democratic Lawfare”

Cameron has forcefully rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and comparing his situation to the legal challenges faced by President Trump. The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the state AFL-CIO, an organization with known Democratic ties, during Cameron’s unsuccessful run for governor against Democrat Andy Beshear. The timing of the investigation, launching two years after the alleged incidents and as Cameron campaigns for a Senate seat, has fueled his claims of political motivation.

“They want to charge me with an ethics violation over a bogus two-year-old claim from an investigation I recused from, and campaign donations I refunded. I hope you see this for what it is – this isn’t ‘ethics’—it’s Democratic lawfare,” said Daniel Cameron.

Cameron maintains that he properly recused himself from the review of Edgewater Recovery Centers once he became aware of the potential conflict of interest. He further asserts that all donations in question were refunded, making the ethics violation claims groundless. An administrative law judge will now review the case and make a recommendation to the full commission, which will determine if violations occurred and what penalties might apply.

Senate Race Implications

The ethics investigation comes at a critical time as Cameron campaigns to fill Mitch McConnell’s soon-to-be vacant Senate seat. Despite the controversy, internal polling from Cameron’s campaign shows him with a substantial 26-point lead over his closest Republican competitor, Rep. Andy Barr. Cameron has positioned himself as a staunch conservative aligned with President Trump, and appears to be using the investigation to rally support from conservative voters frustrated with what they perceive as politically motivated attacks.

“This is the definition of political persecution. It’s the exact same thing they tried to do to President Trump. But like President Trump, I won’t let the left beat me,” said Daniel Cameron.

The investigation’s resolution will likely remain pending as Cameron continues his Senate campaign. His defiant response echoes strategies employed by conservative candidates nationwide who have effectively framed ethics investigations and legal challenges as evidence of a weaponized government system targeting conservatives. Cameron has vowed to fight the allegations while continuing his campaign stating, I’m going to fight this just like I’ll continue fighting for the great people of this commonwealth every single day.