Kelly Craft officially launches campaign for Kentucky governor

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft launched her campaign for Kentucky governor Wednesday, saying the state's "best days are ahead." Craft, who was appointed by Donald Trump as ambassador to Canada (2017) and later to the UN (2019), joined the list of Republicans vying to challenge Democratic Governor Andy Beshear next year with this announcement.

The Republican Party balloting is in May 2023 and the general election for governor is in November 2023. Craft's decision cleared analysts' doubts about her direct participation in the electoral contest after years of collaborating with other candidates of the Republican Party.

During her time as ambassador, Kelly Craft played a leading role in facilitating the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the renewal of the North American Free Trade Agreement that Trump had long sought. "The updated trade agreement has benefited workers, farmers and businesses in Kentucky and across the country," said a campaign statement picked up by AP.

However, despite her connection to Trump, who easily won Kentucky in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, the former president this year endorsed Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron's candidacy for governor of the state.

Thus, a tight race is looming in the Republican Party ahead of next year's primaries. In addition to Craft and Cameron, GOP candidates for governor include state Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, state Auditor Mike Harmon and state Representative Savannah Maddox.