The 2023 Kentucky Secretary of State election took place on November 7, 2023, to elect the Secretary of State of Kentucky. Incumbent secretary of state Michael Adams won re-election to a second term after he defeated Democratic nominee Buddy Wheatley. Primaries were held on May 16, 2023.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Michael Adams, incumbent secretary of state
Eliminated in primary Stephen Knipper, former Erlanger city councilor, nominee for Secretary of State in 2015 and candidate in 2019 Allen Maricle, former state representative (1994–1998)
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Buddy Wheatley, former state representative (2019–2023)
Declined Neville Blakemore, construction executive and candidate for state treasurer in 2015
Endorsements
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofSabato's Crystal BallJune 21, 2023
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MichaelAdams (R) BuddyWheatley (D) UndecidedPublic Opinion Strategies (R)Public Opinion Strategies (R)July 19–20, 2023500 (LV)± 4.4%48%24%26%
Debates 2023 Kentucky Secretary of State debate Date Host Link Republican Democratic Participant Absent Invitee Michael Adams Buddy Wheatley 1 October 19, 2023 WLKY YouTube
Results
By congressional district Adams won five of six congressional districts.https://felixdawson.net/kentuckypolitics/data/2023_districts.csv District Adams Wheatley Representative 69% 31%James Comer 66% 34%Brett Guthrie 41% 59%Morgan McGarvey 63% 37%Thomas Massie 73% 27%Hal Rogers 57% 43%Andy Barr
Notes
References