Kentucky Secretary of State gets recognition

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams is receiving national recognition for his efforts to modernize elections. Adams has been named “Public Official of the Year” by Governing magazine.

He is one of just seven leaders nationwide to earn the honor, recognized for improving both election security and ballot access.

Adams said the award shows that working together, rather than dividing, can lead to real results.

He is the first Kentuckian in a decade to earn the title, and it marks his second national honor in two years. Adams previously received the JFK Profile in Courage Award in 2024.