The governor’s race isn’t the only race happening this election cycle.
Kentucky’s constitutional seats — attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, agriculture commissioner, and state auditor — are also up for grabs.
The secretary of state acts as the chief election official. Once considered a somewhat unimportant race, it has now received increased focus after elections in the United States have come under scrutiny in recent years, with former President Donald Trump falsely claiming Joe Biden stole the 2020 election.
This year’s race includes two Northern Kentuckians: former state House Rep. Buddy Wheatley and former Erlanger City Councilman Stephen Knipper.
The candidates for the secretary of state are also raising money for the election bids and filed their 30-day pre-primary reports this week.
Here’s how much the candidates have raised during the year’s first quarter and overall. Individuals can give a max donation of $2,100.
Incumbent Republican Michael Adams
Incumbent Republican Michael Adams raised just over $58,000 during the first quarter, including a $15,000 personal loan. $2,000.00 came from the Better Schools Ky PAC. He has raised $264,052.46 overall and has $258,584.90 cash on hand.
Tim Robinson, CEO of Addiction Recovery Care in Crestview Hills, donated $2,100.
Former state Senate candidate Mike Templeman donated $500.
Eric Lycan, general counsel for the Republican Party of Kentucky, donated $1,000.
Russ Salsman, former deputy chief of staff for Governor Brereton Jones and now of Cornerstone Strategies — a government communications firm —donated $2,000. His wife Gina also donated $2,000.
Erin Mitchell of Cornerstone Strategies made two $1,000 donations.
Charles Beach, board chairman of Peoples Exchange Bank, donated $500.
Thoroughbred PAC of Washington D.C. donated $2,100.
Jon Deuser, president and CEO of The Smith-Free Group — a government strategy firm — donated $1,000.
Terry Forcht, CEO of Forcht Bank, donated $1,000
To see the complete list of donors, click here.
Stephen Knipper
Former Erlanger City Councilman and Lt. Gov. Jeanean Hampton’s Chief of Staff, Stephen Knipper, who ran for the seat in 2019 and says there are widespread issues with election fraud in the state, raised $52,465.07 during the first quarter of the year and overall. He has $18,199.46 on hand.
Knipper received two $500 donations from Douglas Frank, who speaks at events touting election fraud issues nationwide.
Knipper also received $200 from Sen. Adrienne Southworth (R-Lawrenceburg) — the duo runs the Restore Election Integrity tour.
NKY state house Rep. Steve Rawlings (R-Burlington) donated $204.46 to Knipper.
Gerardo Serrano — a former congressional candidate who touts election fraud issues — donated $500 and $257.94.
Bridgette Ehly — who touts election fraud issues and is a former state house candidate who demanded a recount — donated $500.
Lisa Brueggemann, the wife of John Brueggemann of Bavarian Waste in Boone County, donated $2,000. John also made a $2,000 donation.
Ignatius Brueggemann made a $2,000 donation.
Jim and Maria Brueggemann each donated $2,000.
Jessica Neal — a former NKY state Senate candidate who requested a recount — made two $100 donations.
Former Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton donated $1,000.
To see the complete list of donors, click here.
Allen Maricle
Former state House Rep. Allen Maricle raised $16,905.00 this quarter $21,905.00 and overall. He has $15,799.76 on hand.
Maricle loaned his campaign $5,000 and contributed $1,500 to his campaign.
Former state House Rep. Richard Turner donated $1,000.
Michael Davis, pastor of Eastern Pkwy Baptist Church in Ludlow, donated $1,000.
To see the complete list of donors, click here.
Democrat Buddy Wheatley
Former state House Rep. Buddy Wheatley is the lone Democrat and doesn’t face a primary. He raised $65,129.28 in the first quarter of 2023 and $77,354.28 overall. He has $46,990.79 on hand.
United Food And Commercial Workers International Union, Afl-Cio, donated $1,000.
United Steel Workers Political Action Fund donated $500.
Craig Miller, president of Miller Lumber Co in Augusta, Ky., donated $500.
Jack Dulworth, partner of Dulworth Group, donated $1,000.
Kentucky Professional Firefighters Association Pac donated $1,000.
Los Angeles-based consultant Weston Milliken donated $2,100.
Lobbyist Ellen Yonts Suetholz donated $1,000.
Current state House Rep. Ruth Palumbo (D-Lexington) donated $2,100.
Better Schools Ky PAC donated $2,000
Ona Marshall, co-owner of EMW Women’s Surgical Center, donated $2,000.
Plumbers Pipefitters & M.E.S. Local 392 PAC donated $500
Northern Kentucky Central Labor Council donated $1,000.
Former Southbank Partners President Jack Moreland donated $1,000.
Richard and Debra Wulfeck each donated $2,000.
Covington Mayor Joseph Meyer donated $1,000.
To see the complete list of donors, click here