Updated: Former United States Attorney and Republican candidate for Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is adding another name to his endorsement list.
On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, endorsed Coleman, who comes from the McConnell-wing of the GOP.
“Democrats nominated a radical leftist who wanted to defund the police against me, and they are apparently planning to do it in this race as well. Kentuckians overwhelmingly rejected that in 2022. To protect our families and preserve our liberties, we must do the same again in 2023. That’s why I’m announcing my endorsement of Russell Coleman to be Kentucky’s next Attorney General,” said Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. “I was proud to support Russell’s nomination and unanimous Senate confirmation as U.S. Attorney, where he made major strides against crime in Kentucky. Russell is who I trust to keep Kentucky families safe as our next Attorney General.”
The Democratic candidate Paul references in his statement is current state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, of Louisville, who has announced her intent to run for the Democratic nomination for Kentucky Attorney General. A spokesperson for Stevenson pushed back agains the accusation that the state representative supports defunding the police.
“Every time a Republican falsely accuses a Black candidate of wanting to defund the police, they’re saying they think Kentuckians are a dumb bunch of racists,” campaign spokesperson Rebecca Blankenship said. “We’re not.”
The endorsement from Paul is one of many for Coleman, including endorsement from the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Republican Attorneys General Association and Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr and Brett Guthrie, Since launching his campaign, Russell has already raised more than $500,000.
“Senator Rand Paul is one of the most consistent conservative leaders in Kentucky and the nation, and I am incredibly grateful to have his support,” Coleman said in a statement. “Protecting Kentucky families will take leadership and collaboration at the local, state and federal level. If I’m elected to be Kentucky’s next Attorney General, I will work with Senator Paul to put an end to the violence, cut off the flow of deadly drugs and uphold our conservative values.”
The endorsement could shore up Coleman’s bonafides with the liberty wing of the GOP. Coleman works at Frost, Brown, Todd in Louisville, and has deep connections to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who he previously served as general counsel. McConnell is openly supporting Coleman.
So far no other GOP candidate has emerged for this primary race.
