By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
The race for the Republican nomination for Kentucky Attorney General took an unexpected turn Friday when one candidate announced he no longer plans to seek the seat and a state senator from Campbell County entered the race.
Westerfield
Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton, issued a press release Friday morning stating he had removed himself from the race. Westerfield cited the time constraints during the current legislative session and the commitment needed to run a strong campaign.
“It’s important for me to be realistic about any campaign I undertake,” said Westerfield. “That need is heightened in a statewide race which requires a network of dedicated volunteers working across the entire state. | do not take lightly the immense amount of time I must spend away from my family on the road.”
State Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton issued this release Friday announcing he no longer plans to seek the Republican nomination for attorney general (click to enlarge).
Westerfield, who was first elected to the state senate in 2012, has served as the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary since that time.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support I received during this campaign, but this decision will hopefully give another qualified candidate the opportunity to run their campaign as it should be run,” Westerfield said. “Kentucky desperately needs an Attorney General that has the necessary experience to carry out the duties of office, and the integrity to do so without a political agenda.”
Soon after Westerfield’s announcement State Sen. Wil Schroder, R-Wilder, released a short video announcing that he had just filed as a candidate for the office of attorney general.
“With Sen. Whitney Westerfield, my friend, withdrawing today, I’m the only candidate that has a combination of prosecutorial experience and a conservative record,” Schroder said. “I look forward to talking to you in the months ahead and earning your support.”
https://www.facebook.com/WilSchroderStateSenate/videos/2235902226726555/
State Sen. Wil Schroder, R-Wilder, released this video Friday announcing that he has filed to run for the office of Kentucky Attorney General.
Schroder was first elected to the Kentucky Senate in November 2014 and represents Campbell, Pendleton, and Bracken Counties.
Prior to his election to the state senate, Schroder served as a felony prosecutor in the Campbell County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Schroder said his experience prosecuting “hundreds of felony cases” will be a valuable asset if he is elected.
Cameron
“There is too much at stake for on-the-job training,” he said.
As a state senator, Schroder has been a champion for pro-life legislation and a defender of the Second Amendment.
He also helped craft bipartisan legislation to address the heroin epidemic by expanding treatment options for addicts while punishing traffickers.
Schroder lives in Campbell County with his wife Marci and their two children.
He is a lawyer with the firm Dinsmore & Shohl and practices in the finance department. He has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Kentucky and a law degree from the Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
Stumbo (LRC photo)
He is the son of the late Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Wil Schroder.
Tuesday, Daniel Cameron, a Louisville Republican who previously worked as legal counsel for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also filed to run for attorney general. Cameron is a senior associate with Frost Brown Todd.
Greg Stumbo, who served as attorney general from 2004 to 2008, is the only Democrat thus far to file for attorney general.
