Republican Russell Coleman easily wins Kentucky attorney general race

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Republican Russell Coleman was elected Kentucky’s next attorney general Tuesday night, easily defeating his Democrat challenger, Ret. Col. Pamela Stevenson, to become the state’s chief law enforcement officer and legal advisor.

Coleman, 47, will replace Republican incumbent Daniel Cameron, who ran for governor against Andy Beshear, himself a previous attorney general.

Coleman had won about 58 percent of the vote as of 9:30 p.m., according to the Kentucky Secretary of State's Office.

In his victory speech to supporters, Coleman promised "we will protect your family, we will defend your rights and we will back the blue."

He praised Cameron as a good friend and "once in a generational talent" whose shoes would be tough to fill, also noting he named his daughter after Cameron.

And he was complimentary of Stevenson, although their race was contentious, saying he appreciated her service to the country and state and asked the crowd to give her a round of applause.

Coleman, a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky appointed by former President Donald Trump, has promised throughout his campaign to be tough on crime and, according to his website, “protect you from violent criminals and the Biden Administration’s reckless agenda.”

His career includes stints as an FBI special agent, assistant commonwealth’s attorney and senior adviser and legal counsel to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

“My plan is to build a safer commonwealth for everyone, from the big cities to the small towns of Kentucky,” Coleman said in announcing his candidacy.

Stevenson, a current member of the General Assembly representing part of Jefferson County, is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with 40 years of legal experience, including time as an FBI special agent and prosecutor.

Stevenson, of Louisville, promised during her campaign to be “the People’s Lawyer, protecting Kentucky’s families from big business, corrupt politicians, and scammers.”

Earlier this year, during tense legislative arguments about transgender youths, Stevenson, 64, shouted, “We have created an environment of hate, and then we look at them like there’s something wrong with them,” according to media outlets.

Coleman, an attorney with Frost Brown Todd in Louisville, meanwhile, stressed his opposition to abortion and support for Second Amendment gun rights.

In their most recent campaign-finance disclosures, Coleman reported raising more than $1.1 million compared to less than $300,000 for Stevenson.

"This victory isn't just mine," he said. "It's yours."

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In other election news, attorney Jessica Stone appears to have beaten out five other candidates to fill out the Jefferson County Family Court seat vacated when Tara Hagerty retired in June.

As of about 9 p.m., Stone had a comfortable lead over the other candidates, including Laura Russell, (26 percent to 20 percent), who had been appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear to fill the spot until the election.

The other candidates were Claudette Patton, Emily Craddock, Allison Russell and Mason Trenaman Sr.

Family court judges handle issues involving adoption, child support, domestic violence, divorce and juvenile status offenses.

Jefferson County has 10 family court judges. They serve eight-year terms.

This story may be updated.