Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron visited Danville Christian Academy Wednesday afternoon. He provided cupcakes to the younger students and gave a speech during an assembly for middle and high schoolers.

Cameron introduced himself and his background, as well as the actions he took after Gov. Andy Beshear passed an executive order during the pandemic which, in part, called for all public and private schools K-12 cease in-person instruction beginning Nov. 23, 2020. This included religiously affiliated private schools.

“Everyone had a responsibility to keep people safe,” Cameron said. “I fully recognize that and admit that and know how important that responsibility is, but on the other side, and as equally important … is to make sure that we’re standing up for your constitutional rights, and in particular, the First Amendment right to worship.”

Following the passing of the executive order, Cameron and DCA joined forces trying to make a case that religious and private schools be exempt from the order in part due to the First Amendment right to worship. Ultimately, Cameron’s efforts to combat the executive order were taken to the Supreme Court and denied, partially due to timing. Cameron said during his speech there were “bumps in the road” during his efforts, and there were both “favorable and adverse rulings.”

“Some people will tell you that faith has no place in government,” Cameron said in his speech to the students. “I don’t believe that. I think it’s important that faith be part of the conversation in government. I think it doesn’t make decisions, but it helps inform the decision-making process.”

He also encouraged students to be “courageous” and stick to what they have been taught as they leave home and potentially go to college.

“College can be challenging, and your beliefs will come under attack,” he said. That’s no secret to you all that are in this room, but I firmly believe that the training and preparation you’ve received here at Danville Christian will help you withstand those criticisms.”

After Cameron’s speech, he took questions from the students, took pictures with them and spoke with them.

Cameron also shared some of his background during his speech. He grew up in Elizabethtown and went to church there as a child. His parents owned a coffee shop there, where he helped out. Later he went to the University of Louisville, where he played football and stayed to go through law school. Then, he clerked for a federal judge, worked at a law firm in Lousiville for a couple of years and went on to work in Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office. He then came back to Kentucky and ran for Attorney General. When he came into the position he was focused on combating human trafficking, the drug epidemic and child abuse.