KENTUCKY — Candidates competing in the Democrat and Republican Party primaries for Kentucky Secretary of State appeared on “In Focus Kentucky” to discuss a wide range of topics and issues ranging from day one priorities if elected, purging voter rolls and plans to continue improving election security.
During this segment, Mario Anderson spoke with Republican candidates Michael Adams, Steve Knipper and Allen Maricle.
Adams is the incumbent officeholder, and is running for re-election. Adams lives in Louisville, but is a native of Paducah and is Kentucky’s 86th Secretary of State. Adams took office on Jan. 6, 2020 and shortly after, championed Kentucky’s first Photo ID to Vote law through the General Assembly. However, the Republican says House Bill 574 is his most significant accomplishment while in office, as the policy makes Kentucky’s elections more accessible and more secure at the same time. It was signed into law April 7, 2021, by Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat.
Allen Maricle is a former state representative from Bullitt County, as well as a former city councilman from Pioneer Village. Maricle says with his extensive knowledge of elections and campaign finance, he wants to ensure that all Kentuckians have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Maricle adds that he is committed to promoting transparency and accountability in all aspects of state government.
Steve Knipper of Erlanger in Kenton County is a former Republican nominee for Secretary of State and Chief of Staff for Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton. According to Knipper, there are lawsuits and rulings that he said confirmed that, “Kentucky was nearly leading the nation in potential insider fraud due to this extreme voter registration situation.” If elected, Knipper says he is committed to “a full investigation of all past activity and complete transparency of voting processes and election night results.”
You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky ‘Conversation with the Kentucky Secretary of State Republican candidates’ segment in the player above.