FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams (R) on Friday announced he's running for a second term in 2023.

Adams made the announcement Friday morning, effectively bowing out of crowded gubernatorial and attorney general primaries many speculated he would soon enter. He said voters will have "excellent choices" for governor and attorney general in 2023, but he wouldn't seek higher office at this "critical time."

"Based on my performance in this Office, at the most difficult time in its history, I would like to seek a promotion to higher office," Adams said. "But at this critical time, I am needed in my current post."

The Republican from McCracken County was central to Kentucky's recent election reform legislation, which saw voting rights expanded and election security enhanced in a bipartisan fashion.

In a news release, Adams boasted his credentials and stern commitment to the office, highlighting his goal of protecting Kentucky's elections while warning that a lesser candidate would be dire for future elections.

"I do not take this race for granted, nor should anyone who wants fair, free accessible and secure elections. The wrong person winning this position could do real harm to our election process," Adams said.

That strong wording appeared to be a preemptive shot at his own party's growing anti-establishment wing, which could recruit a challenger to Adams in the primary next spring.

Secretary of state campaigns across the country are gaining increased attention following former President Donald Trump’s attempts to reverse the results of the 2020 election and his endorsements of candidates for state election offices who are sympathetic to his view. Amy McGrath, a former U.S. Senate candidate in Kentucky, launched a political action campaign aimed at defeating "anti-democracy" Secretary of State candidates.

Adams defeated Democratic nominee Heather French Henry in 2019 by nearly five points. Currently, he's the only candidate in the race to have filed for fundraising efforts, records show.