Russell Coleman

Russell Coleman
Official portrait, 2017
Russell Coleman
Born	3 1, 1976
Birthplace	Paducah, Kentucky, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, politician
Title	Attorney General of Kentucky
Known for	52nd Attorney General of Kentucky
Education	University of Kentucky (BA, JD)

Russell Coleman (born January 3, 1976) is an American attorney and politician serving as the 52nd Attorney General of Kentucky since January 1, 2024. A member of the Republican Party, Coleman previously served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky from September 2017 to January 2021, a position to which he was appointed by President Donald Trump. Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Coleman built a career centered on federal law enforcement, gaining prominence for his efforts to combat violent crime, gang activity, and the opioid epidemic in the Louisville metropolitan area and across western Kentucky. After departing the U.S. Attorney's office, he launched a campaign for state attorney general in 2022 and won the general election in November 2023. As attorney general, Coleman has pursued legal action on matters including technology companies' impact on children and criminal sentencing reform, positioning the office as an active participant in both state and national legal debates.

Early Life

Russell Coleman was born on January 3, 1976, in Paducah, a city in the far western region of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He grew up in western Kentucky, a region that would later fall within the federal judicial jurisdiction he oversaw as U.S. Attorney. Details regarding his parents, siblings, and childhood experiences have not been extensively documented in public sources, though Coleman has referenced his Kentucky roots throughout his political career as central to his identity and motivation for public service.

Coleman's upbringing in Paducah placed him in a community that, like many mid-sized cities in the region, contended with economic challenges and the effects of drug trafficking corridors running through the central United States. These formative experiences in western Kentucky informed his later focus on drug enforcement and violent crime reduction during his tenure as a federal prosecutor.

Education

Coleman attended the University of Kentucky, where he earned both his undergraduate and law degrees. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree before continuing at the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor. The University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, is the state's flagship public research university, and its law school has produced numerous Kentucky officeholders and legal professionals. Coleman's dual-degree path at the same institution reflected a commitment to remaining in Kentucky for his professional development, a theme he would later emphasize in his political campaigns.

Career

Early Legal Career

Following his legal education at the University of Kentucky, Coleman entered the practice of law in Kentucky. Prior to his appointment as U.S. Attorney, he developed experience in both public and private legal practice, building a reputation in the state's legal community. The specifics of his early career positions, including law firm affiliations or prior government roles, are referenced in his official Department of Justice biography, where his background was cited as qualifying him for the role of chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Kentucky.

United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky

On September 22, 2017, Coleman was confirmed by the United States Senate and assumed office as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, having been nominated by President Donald Trump. The Western District of Kentucky encompasses the Louisville metropolitan area and extends westward across the state to the Mississippi River, covering a diverse geographic and demographic territory that includes both urban centers and rural communities.

War on Violent Crime

Shortly after taking office, Coleman declared what he described as a "war on gangs, guns, and drugs" in Louisville, signaling an aggressive posture toward violent crime in Kentucky's largest city. This initiative involved increased coordination between federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, alongside local law enforcement agencies in Louisville and surrounding jurisdictions.

Coleman's office prioritized the federal prosecution of repeat violent offenders, particularly those involved in firearms offenses and drug trafficking. In opinion pieces published in The Courier-Journal, Coleman articulated his view that violent crime in Louisville required a comprehensive response that went beyond any single neighborhood, describing it as "an issue for the whole city." He also wrote about the intersection of the opioid crisis and violent crime, noting how opioid-related violence had challenged preconceived notions about the demographics and geography of drug abuse.

In a 2019 opinion column, Coleman discussed his office's potential to be the "best in America," reflecting on the scope and ambition of the federal prosecution strategies he had implemented.

Opioid Epidemic Response

A central focus of Coleman's tenure as U.S. Attorney was the response to the opioid epidemic, which had devastated communities across Kentucky. The Commonwealth ranked among the states most severely affected by opioid abuse and overdose deaths during this period. Coleman's office pursued federal drug trafficking cases and worked to disrupt supply chains for illicit opioids, including fentanyl, which had become a leading driver of overdose fatalities.

Coleman wrote publicly about cases in which opioid-related violence had resulted in deaths, using these examples to underscore the severity of the crisis and the need for a robust federal law enforcement response. His approach combined prosecution of drug traffickers with advocacy for broader public awareness of the epidemic's scope.

Response to 2020 Protests

In the summer of 2020, following the shooting death of Breonna Taylor by Louisville Metro Police officers, widespread protests erupted in Louisville and across the nation. Coleman's office became involved in the federal response to criminal activity that occurred during and alongside the protests. In a June 2020 opinion piece, Coleman stated that individuals engaged in looting during the protests would "earn a trip to federal prison," distinguishing between lawful protest activity and criminal conduct.

Coleman's office subsequently announced federal charges against four individuals in connection with incidents that occurred during the protests. The prosecutions drew attention to the role of the federal government in addressing civil unrest and the boundaries between protest and criminal activity.

Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement

During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Coleman was appointed to serve on the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice, a body convened by the Trump administration to examine policing practices and criminal justice policy in the United States. This appointment placed Coleman among a select group of law enforcement officials and legal professionals tasked with making recommendations to the president on matters of policing and justice administration.

Resignation

Coleman resigned from his position as U.S. Attorney effective January 20, 2021, coinciding with the inauguration of President Joe Biden. In his resignation letter, published by the Department of Justice, Coleman reflected on his office's accomplishments and thanked the career prosecutors and staff who had served alongside him. He was succeeded by Michael Bennett as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

2023 Campaign for Attorney General

In 2022, Coleman announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Kentucky, launching a campaign that positioned him as a law-and-order candidate with deep experience in federal prosecution. His campaign platform emphasized combating violent crime, addressing the drug crisis, and protecting Kentucky families.

Coleman received attention from national political media during the campaign. An Associated Press report noted his connections to former President Donald Trump and his record as a Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney as factors in the race.

In the November 2023 general election, Coleman won the race for Attorney General of Kentucky, succeeding fellow Republican Daniel Cameron, who had vacated the office to run for governor. Coleman's campaign website served as the central platform for his policy positions and outreach to voters.

Attorney General of Kentucky

Coleman took office as the 52nd Attorney General of Kentucky on January 1, 2024, serving under Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat. His tenure has been marked by several high-profile legal actions and policy initiatives.

TikTok Lawsuit

One of the most prominent legal actions of Coleman's tenure has been a lawsuit filed against TikTok, the social media platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The lawsuit alleges harms to children related to the platform's design and practices. In February 2026, a Scott County, Kentucky judge denied TikTok's motion to dismiss the case, allowing it to proceed. The ruling represented a significant legal development in the broader national debate over the regulation of social media companies and their effects on minors.

Child Internet Safety

Coleman has been an advocate for legislative measures aimed at protecting children online. In February 2026, he publicly praised the Kentucky House of Representatives for advancing a child internet safety bill, describing it as a "bold step" toward safeguarding young people from online harms. This advocacy aligned with his office's broader legal strategy, including the TikTok lawsuit, in targeting technology companies' impact on children.

Criminal Sentencing Appeals

In his capacity as attorney general, Coleman has intervened in criminal sentencing matters at the state level. In February 2026, his office appealed a Louisville judge's reduced sentence for a man convicted of sex crimes, with Coleman characterizing the original sentence as "an unlawful abuse of judicial" authority. The appeal underscored Coleman's approach of using the attorney general's office to challenge what he views as inadequate criminal sentences, particularly in cases involving sexual offenses.

Law Enforcement Relations

Coleman has maintained close ties to law enforcement during his tenure as attorney general. In January 2026, he spoke at the retirement ceremony for Louisville Metro Police Department Officer Nick Wilt, who had been injured during the Old National Bank shooting in Louisville in April 2023. Coleman thanked Wilt for his service during the ceremony.

Reelection Preparations

As of early 2026, Coleman has begun building a financial foundation for a potential reelection campaign in 2027. Political committees supporting his candidacy had raised approximately $1 million by January 2026, with a significant portion of the funds originating from out-of-state donors, according to a report by the Kentucky Lantern. The early fundraising effort was described as building a "mighty war chest," reflecting Coleman's intent to secure a strong financial position well in advance of the next election cycle.

Personal Life

Coleman is a native of Paducah, Kentucky, and has maintained his residence in the Commonwealth throughout his career. He has publicly identified his Kentucky roots as central to his professional identity and his motivation for pursuing public office in the state. Beyond these basic biographical details, Coleman has kept much of his personal and family life out of the public record. His public appearances and statements have focused primarily on his professional responsibilities and policy positions rather than personal matters.

Coleman spoke at the retirement ceremony of LMPD Officer Nick Wilt in January 2026, an event that highlighted his personal commitment to supporting law enforcement officers and their families.

Recognition

Coleman's appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky in 2017 was itself a significant recognition, as the position is one of the most prominent federal law enforcement posts in the state. His subsequent appointment to the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice further elevated his national profile, placing him among a select group of legal professionals advising the president on criminal justice matters.

His election as the 52nd Attorney General of Kentucky in 2023 represented the culmination of his career in law enforcement and legal practice, earning him the state's top legal office. Since taking office, Coleman has received media attention for his legal initiatives, including the TikTok lawsuit and his advocacy for child internet safety legislation, which have been covered by state and national media outlets.

His early fundraising success for a potential 2027 reelection campaign, with approximately $1 million raised by January 2026, has been noted by political observers as indicative of strong support within Republican donor networks.