FRANKFORT, Ky. — Former Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Harmon has officially entered the race for Kentucky Secretary of State, announcing Tuesday that he has filed a Statement of Intent to seek the office in 2027.
Harmon, a Republican from Boyle County, served two terms as Kentucky's auditor after first being elected in November 2015. He took office in January 2016 as the Commonwealth's 47th Auditor of Public Accounts and served through January 2024. Auditor of Public Accounts
Before becoming auditor, Harmon spent 13 years in the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the 54th District, which included Boyle and Casey counties and, previously, Washington County.
During his legislative career, Harmon served as vice chairman of the House Standing Committee on Tourism and Energy and held assignments on committees dealing with banking and insurance, elections and constitutional amendments, health and welfare, and intergovernmental affairs.
In announcing his latest campaign, Harmon emphasized his conservative record and experience in statewide office.
“You trusted me to protect your taxpayer dollars, now I’m asking you to trust me again to protect the integrity of your vote,” Harmon said in his campaign announcement.
Harmon said he will seek the Republican nomination during the May 2027 primary.
The former auditor is no stranger to statewide campaigns beyond his time at the auditor's office. In 2023, Harmon sought the Republican nomination for governor of Kentucky, ultimately losing the primary. Lexington Herald Leader
According to his campaign announcement, Harmon recently served as State Outreach Director for the Commonwealth Policy Center and is the author of the book PaRav’s POV. His private-sector background includes work in insurance and banking.
An Open Seat in 2027
The 2027 race will determine the successor to current Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams.
Adams is serving his second consecutive term and cannot immediately seek a third. Kentucky's Constitution allows statewide constitutional officers to serve two consecutive terms but makes them ineligible for reelection for the four years following their second consecutive term. Kentucky Secretary of State
That means Kentucky voters will elect a new secretary of state in November 2027.
The Secretary of State's office has wide-ranging responsibilities, including administering Kentucky's elections, maintaining business filings, overseeing records related to notaries and trademarks, and serving as custodian of various official state records.
Harmon's filing marks the beginning of what is expected to become a developing field of candidates ahead of the 2027 election.
The Morehead Minute will continue following the 2027 statewide races as additional candidates announce their campaigns.
Editor’s Note: The Morehead Minute’s reporting on Mike Harmon’s candidacy is for informational purposes only. Coverage of any candidate, campaign, or political race should not be interpreted as an endorsement. The Morehead Minute does not endorse candidates for political office.