Trump nominee Daniel Cameron becomes Republican candidate for Kentucky gubernatorial election

The attorney general beat out major figures such as former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron won the state's Republican primary for governor Tuesday, meaning he will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in the general election in November.

Cameron beat out a dozen Republican candidates, including major party figures such as former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles.

"The Republican Party is excited to unite behind Daniel Cameron as the Republican nominee for governor," said Mac Brown, the party's Kentucky chairman. Brown also called the attorney general "a fierce warrior" with a "strong track record " for taking on Andy Beshear. He also celebrated what his victory represents for the history of that state.

"He is the first-ever African American to serve as the gubernatorial nominee for a major political party in Kentucky history," he said.

A possible indicator of the presidential election

Daniel Cameron's primary win could serve as a gauge of how much influence Donald Trump has over other major figures in the Republican party.

It should be noted that the 37-year-old candidate's campaign had the endorsement of the former president as the only prominent Republican. In contrast, Kelly Craft had the support of several significant party figures, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

After DeSantis announced his support for Craft, the race became a power struggle that now serves as a setback for the governor, who is presumed to run against Trump for the 2024 presidential election.