Republican Senate hopefuls face questions from the Paducah Chamber

The top two Republicans seeking the nomination to replace Mitch McConnell faced questions on Friday from the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sixth District Congressman Andy Barr and former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron took questions during a televised forum, but not in the way previous forums have been conducted. The two candidates took the questions separately and in the room one at a time. The top three Democrats shared the stage for their forum. The terms were reportedly agreed to following Nate Morris’ departure from the race. Indications were that had the change not been made, the event might not have happened.

The candidates answered questions about the cleanup at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant site, work at Kentucky Dam on the lock expansion project, foreign investment from Japan, energy policy, and the potential for an AI data center on the DOE property.

Barr drew the first segment. He said he believes he can hit the ground running, having already established relationships in Washington. As a current member of the House of Representatives, Barr said he knows the job because he’s doing the job. He said he would like to deliver for western Kentucky the way he has for central Kentucky.

Barr said, in response to a question about the need for more money to complete the Kentucky Lock project, that he has not only had experience in the appropriations process, but also in oversight of the Army Corps of Engineers.

He said, regardless of the type of appropriation, “If you don’t exercise that oversight over the Corps of Engineers, projects languish.” He called for reform of the Corps, along with permitting reform.

Barr called Kentucky an energy juggernaut, noting not only Kentucky’s coal industry, but also highlighting hydro, natural gas, and nuclear, and said all will be needed to meet growing demand for electricity. Barr said he had toured the Shawnee power plant, mentioning that it had been spared from shutdown, unlike others in the fossil fleet of power generation facilities.

For his part, Cameron said he got into the race to ensure that Kentucky lives up to the ideals of its founding. He wants Kentucky to be based on merit and opportunity, not on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Cameron also stressed energy independence, utilizing Kentucky coal, natural gas, and the nuclear sector that is growing in the Paducah area, in addition to passing the Save America Act.

Cameron, in response to a question about directing resources to help maintain the strength of the inland waterway system, credited Senator McConnell with delivering for the area. He said, “We need somebody in Washington that’s going to maintain the responsibility of being a champion for that investment.” Adding, “We know the heritage and history of this community is on that river, and I’m going to do everything in my power to support it and prioritize getting resources to this community.”

Cameron was asked about closing or using coal plants for power generation. He said he would be a proponent for coal, citing the need for more electricity to power advanced technologies. He noted that as Attorney General, he fought the Biden Administration in their battle against coal.

He said that Paducah and McCracken County are uniquely positioned to host an AI data center because of the area’s lower cost and reliable baseload energy, but that a decision should be based on community acceptance. Cameron said that the average ratepayer should not have to absorb the increased costs required for the additional power needed to operate them.

The two candidates will continue criss-crossing the Commonwealth over the next week to make their push for the nomination.

The final forum hosted by the Paducah Chamber comes up on Tuesday when the three Republican candidates for McCracken County Judge-Executive will square off. The event will be at the convention center, beginning with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and the forum at noon.