Michael Adams (Kentucky politician)
Michael Adams | |
---|---|
86th Secretary of State of Kentucky | |
Assumed office January 6, 2020 | |
Governor | Andy Beshear |
Preceded by | Alison Lundergan Grimes |
Personal details | |
Born | Michael Gene Adams[1] March 27, 1976 Paducah, Kentucky, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Education | University of Louisville (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
Website | Official website |
Michael Gene Adams (born March 27, 1976) is an American politician who is a member of the Republican Party. He is the secretary of state of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He succeeded Alison Lundergan Grimes on January 6, 2020.[2]
Early life and career
Adams is from
Kentucky Secretary of State
Electoral history
2019 election
In the
2023 election
Adams announced his re-election bid on August 5, 2022.[8] He faced challengers Stephen Knipper and Allen Maricle in the primary election on May 16, 2023. He defeated both with 63.9% of the vote. He defeated Democratic challenger Buddy Wheatley in the general election on November 7, 2023.[9]
Election results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican
|
Michael Adams | 746,629 | 52.3 | |
Democratic | Heather French Henry | 682,096 | 47.7 | |
Total votes | 1,428,725 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican
|
Michael Adams (incumbent) | 787,198 | 60.6 | |
Democratic | Buddy Wheatley | 510,743 | 39.3 | |
Total votes | 1,297,941 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Tenure
Adams' highest legislative priority in his campaign was changing state law to require photo identification of voters.[12] On April 14, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a Voter ID law over Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's veto.[13]
During the 2020 General Election, Adams implemented expanded procedures giving voters in Kentucky options to safely cast votes during the COVID-19 pandemic which included excuse-free absentee voting and three weeks of open polls.[14][15][16] Adams' plan for the 2020 elections resulted in record voter turnout in Kentucky and received praise as a national model for how to conduct elections during a health pandemic.[17] In the 2021 legislative session, Adams led an effort to make several of the election reforms permanent.[18] The legislation garnered bipartisan support, and Governor Beshear signed it into law on April 7, 2021.[19][20]
The election reform measure includes 3 days of early in-person voting, transitions the state toward universal paper ballots, keeps the online portal for requesting absentee ballots, and allows counties to establish vote centers.[21]
References
- ^ "Kentuckians could get permanent access to early voting options".
- ^ Wall, Connor. "RCN Interviews Secretary of State Candidates". River City News. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Biography - Secretary of State". www.sos.ky.gov. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ Ferguson, Jordan (February 12, 2019). "Adams looks to bring experience to run for Kentucky Secretary of State | Local News". murrayledger.com. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ Hancock, Jason. "Eric Greitens campaign attorney is GOP nominee for Kentucky secretary of state". Kansas City Star. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ "2019 Kentucky General Election Results". New York Times. November 5, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ "Adams elected next Secretary of State". WLEX. November 6, 2019.
- ^ "Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams makes decision on reelection bid". The Courier-Journal.
- ^ "Kentucky Primary Election Results 2023: Live Updates & Analysis". www.politico.com.
- ^ "Kentucky Secretary of State Live Election Results 2023: Michael Adams wins". www.nbcnews.com.
- ^ Tanneeru, Manav. "2023 Elections | CNN Politics". CNN.
- ^ "Michael Adams: As secretary of state, I would require a photo ID to vote". Courier Journal. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
- ^ "Kentucky lawmakers override veto of voter ID measure". PBS. April 14, 2020.
- ^ Hitchcock, Paul (August 14, 2020). "Gov. Beshear, Secretary of State Adams Reach Agreement on General Election Procedures". www.wmky.org. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ Office of the Secretary of State, Kentucky (August 14, 2020). "Recommendations for Elections on Nov. 3, 2020" (PDF). Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ Beshear, Andy (August 14, 2020). "Executive Order - State of Emergency Relating to Kentucky Elections" (PDF). Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ "Every State, Every Vote: Kentucky Touted As National Model For Conducting Elections During Pandemic". Democratic Governors Association. July 6, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ "Kentucky Secretary of State details major changes to voting". WEHT. April 9, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ "Why Kentucky Just Became the Only Red State to Expand Voting Rights". New York Times. April 7, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ "Early Voting Could Become Permanent in Kentucky Elections". WHAS. April 1, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ "Kentucky Lawmakers Pass Key Election Reforms, Including Early Voting". Courier Journal. March 29, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.