Kentucky Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams has been chosen to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award this year for his efforts to expand voting rights and stand up for free and fair elections in the face of opposition within his own party. Adams worked with Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to enact legislation in 2021 allowing for three days of early, in-person voting before Election Day, which was hailed as a significant update to the state’s election laws. Despite facing death threats from election deniers, Adams has been a vocal advocate for making it easy to vote and hard to cheat, and has pushed back against false claims of election fraud.
Adams, who was first elected in 2019 and won reelection by a wide margin last year, has been instrumental in efforts to defend the country’s election systems and the people who run them. He is part of a Republican-led initiative to reinforce the message that elections are secure and accurate, particularly as the country approaches another divisive presidential contest. Adams believes it is crucial for Republicans to stand up for the defense of the election system, given the current lack of confidence in the accuracy of votes among Republicans following the 2020 election.
Despite facing challenges within his own party, Adams has remained committed to upholding the integrity of the election process and ensuring that all Americans can exercise their right to vote. He has been a vocal critic of false claims about rigged elections and believes that it is important for Republicans to restore trust in the electoral system. As a potential candidate for governor in 2027, Adams continues to advocate for bipartisanship and the importance of putting country before self, as exemplified by President Kennedy’s call in his book, “Profiles in Courage.”
Adams’ work to expand voting rights in Kentucky and stand up against election denialism within his own party has earned him recognition as a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. His efforts to make it easy to vote, hard to cheat, and to defend the country’s election systems have set him apart as a leader willing to take principled stands on important issues. Adams’ commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral system and promoting free and fair elections has garnered him respect and admiration from colleagues, supporters, and the Kennedy Library Foundation.
As the recipient of the Profile in Courage Award, Adams will be honored at a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston on June 9. He joins a distinguished list of past winners, including former U.S. presidents Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and Barack Obama, who have been recognized for their courage in standing up for their beliefs and defending the principles of democracy. Adams’ commitment to putting country before self and working to ensure free and fair elections for all Americans reflects the spirit of President Kennedy’s call to courage and selflessness in public service.
