{{short description|American politician (born 1974)}} {{Use American English|date=November 2015}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Adam Edelen |image = Adam Edelen Wiki.jpg |office = 47th Auditor of Kentucky |governor = Steve Beshear<br />Matt Bevin |term_start = January 2, 2012 |term_end = January 4, 2016 |predecessor = Crit Luallen |successor = Mike Harmon |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|11|26}} |birth_place = Flaherty, Kentucky, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Democratic |spouse = |children = 2 |education = University of Kentucky (BA) |website = {{URL|adamedelen.com|Campaign website}} }} '''Adam Edelen''' (born November 26, 1974) is an American businessman, solar energy entrepreneur, and politician who served as the Auditor of Public Accounts for the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 2012 to 2016.
Prior to that, he was the Chief of Staff for Democratic Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear<ref>{{cite news|url=http://governor.ky.gov/pressrelease.htm?PostingGUID=%7B1A4865F7-ABEC-4369-B521-BF5D87198A28%7D |title=Governor Appoints Adam Edelen to Succeed Cauley |publisher=Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office |date=June 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813155244/http://www.governor.ky.gov/pressrelease.htm?PostingGUID=%7B1A4865F7-ABEC-4369-B521-BF5D87198A28%7D |archivedate=August 13, 2010 }}</ref> from July 2008 until September 15, 2010. He resigned from his position as the governor's Chief of Staff to work as a business consultant, before running for the Auditor of Public Accounts for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2010/08/12/1389002_gov-beshears-chief-of-staff-resigning.html?rh=1|title=Gov. Beshear's chief of staff resigning|work=kentucky.com|accessdate=August 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/02/1460311/former-beshear-aide-adam-edelen.html=1|title=Former Beshear aide Adam Edelen to run for state auditor|work=kentucky.com|accessdate=October 2, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mycn2.com/politics/adam-edelen-will-run-for-state-auditor-damon-thayer-says-he-might-too|title=Adam Edelen will run for state Auditor; Damon Thayer says he might too|work=mycn2.com/politics|accessdate=September 20, 2010 }}</ref><ref>[http://politics.mycn2.com/2010/08/11/adam-edelen-leaves-governors-office-could-be-eyeing-run-for-auditor/ Adam Edelen Leaves Governor's Office] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820201446/http://politics.mycn2.com/2010/08/11/adam-edelen-leaves-governors-office-could-be-eyeing-run-for-auditor/ |date=August 20, 2010 }}</ref> In 2019, he ran for Governor of Kentucky with running mate Gill Holland, where he finishing in third place for the Democratic nomination .
==Early years and career== Edelen was born on a family farm in Meade County, Kentucky. His mother was 16 when he was born. His parents divorced when he was young, and his time as a child was divided between his mother's home in Louisville and his father's farm in rural Meade County.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/content/meade-county%E2%80%99s-adam-edelen-wired-politics|title=Meade County's Adam Edelen: Wired for politics|work=thenewsenterprise.com|accessdate=November 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023123302/http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/content/meade-county%E2%80%99s-adam-edelen-wired-politics|archive-date=October 23, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Edelen is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta social fraternity.<ref>[https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/24RS/sr254/bill.pdf]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bledsoe |first=Amanda |date=March 12, 2024 |title=A RESOLUTION honoring the Delta Epsilon chapter of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity on the historic milestone of its 100th anniversary at the University of Kentucky. |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/24RS/sr254/orig_bill.pdf |access-date=August 12, 2024}}</ref>
At 21, he started his public service career as an aide to Kentucky Governor Paul Patton. He worked in the private sector as a senior executive at the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce (Commerce Lexington) and Thomas & King, Inc.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2010 |title=Adam H. Edelen Appointed Kentucky Homeland Security Director |url=https://www.govtech.com/archive/adam-h-edelen-appointed-kentucky-homeland.html |access-date=August 12, 2024 |website=Government Technology}}</ref>
In 2002, Edelen unsuccessfully ran for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. Of the six candidates for the three at-large seats, he finished in fifth place.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 6, 2002 |title=Ellinger and Stevens a close 2nd and 3rd in at-large race |work=The Lexington Herald-Leader |page=A6}}</ref>
In 2008, he returned to the public sector, serving as Director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.govtech.com/gt/241041 |title=Adam H. Edelen Appointed Kentucky Homeland Security Director |publisher=Government Technology |date=January 2, 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and then as Chief of Staff to Governor Steve Beshear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/02/1460311/former-beshear-aide-adam-edelen.html|title=Lexington, KY local and state news by the Lexington Herald-Leader - Kentucky.com|work=kentucky.com|accessdate=November 13, 2014}}</ref>
==Kentucky Auditor== Edelen won election to Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts on November 8, 2011, defeating Republican John T. Kemper III by a margin of 11.6%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elect.ky.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/Election%20Results/2010-2019/2011/off2011gen.pdf|title=Official 2011 General Election Results for the office of Auditor of Public Accounts|work=elect.ky.gov|accessdate=November 24, 2014}}</ref>
Shortly after his inauguration, Edelen initiated an examination of the former administration of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2012/01/12/2024339/kentucky-agriculture-department.html|title=Lexington, KY local and state news by the Lexington Herald-Leader - Kentucky.com|work=kentucky.com|accessdate=November 13, 2014}}</ref> This examination was conducted at the request of the Republican Agriculture Commissioner, James Comer. The examination found rampant spending abuses and a culture of entitlement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.auditor.ky.gov/Public/Audit_Reports/Archive/2012KYDeptofAgricultureexamination.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523120328/http://apps.auditor.ky.gov/Public/Audit_Reports/Archive/2012KYDeptofAgricultureexamination.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 23, 2012 |title=Examination of Certain Policies, Procedures, Controls, and Financial Activity of the Former Administration of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture |last=Edelen |first=Adam H. |date=April 30, 2012 |website=Mike Harmon, Auditor of Public Accounts |accessdate=May 8, 2017 }}</ref> Former commissioner and UK basketball star Richie Farmer was sentenced to 27 months in prison on federal charges and a year in prison on a state charge based on issues identified in Edelen's report.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2014/01/14/richie-farmer-kentucky-basketball-sentenced-more-than-two-years-in-prison/4478635/|title=Ex-Kentucky star Richie Farmer sentenced to 27 months in prison|author=Tom Loftus, USA TODAY Sports|date=January 14, 2014|work=usatoday.com|accessdate=November 13, 2014}}</ref>
Edelen also led an effort to reform special districts, which represent a $2.7 billion layer of government. The effort led to a report and the creation of a database with financial information for approximately 1,200 entities, including libraries, fire districts, and health departments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apps.auditor.ky.gov/public/theregistry/2012GhostGovernmentSpecialDistrictsReport.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=apps.auditor.ky.gov |access-date=January 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125052823/http://apps.auditor.ky.gov/public/theregistry/2012GhostGovernmentSpecialDistrictsReport.pdf |archive-date=January 25, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, Edelen helped shepherd a measure through the legislature to bring more accountability and transparency to the entities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/02/05/2504255/bill-aimed-at-helping-kentuckians.html|title=Lexington, KY local and state news by the Lexington Herald-Leader - Kentucky.com|work=kentucky.com|accessdate=November 13, 2014}}</ref> House Bill 1 – as dubbed by the Speaker of the House-passed with broad, bipartisan support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/13RS/HB1.htm|title=13RS HB1|work=ky.gov|accessdate=November 13, 2014|archive-date=January 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125014624/http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/13rs/HB1.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The National State Auditors Association selected the initiative as one of its Excellence in Accountability Award recipients.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasact.org/conferences_training/nasact/conferences/AudioConferences/November13/November13Webinar.cfm|title=NSAA's 2013 Excellence in Accountability Award Winners|work=nasact.org|accessdate=November 12, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322002320/http://www.nasact.org/conferences_training/nasact/conferences/AudioConferences/November13/November13Webinar.cfm|archivedate=March 22, 2014}}</ref> The leadership of Common Cause KY described the initiative as a significant step for government reform.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apps.auditor.ky.gov/Public/Audit_Reports/Archive/2013HB1Signing-PR.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=apps.auditor.ky.gov |access-date=January 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502224740/http://apps.auditor.ky.gov/Public/Audit_Reports/Archive/2013HB1Signing-PR.pdf |archive-date=May 2, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c%3DdkLNK1MQIwG%26b%3D4846233 |title=Kentucky - Common Cause |accessdate=March 21, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013705/http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4846233 |archivedate=March 22, 2014 }}</ref>
When private, multibillion-dollar insurance companies took over the state's Medicaid system, Edelen proposed recommendations for the state and managed care organizations (MCOs) to address issues in implementation. The Auditor's office found the managed care companies were not efficiently processing claims to health care providers despite receiving more than 700 million taxpayer dollars. Edelen created a new Medicaid Accountability and Transparency Unit in the Auditor's office to provide real-time oversight over the second-largest expenditure in state government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/29/2088920/auditor-kentucky-private-companies.html|title=Lexington, KY local and state news by the Lexington Herald-Leader - Kentucky.com|work=kentucky.com|accessdate=November 13, 2014}}</ref>
In 2012, Edelen began examining spending practices in public schools. Special examinations in 15 public school districts found wasteful spending, lack of oversight of superintendent contracts by school boards and other abuses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://auditor.ky.gov/auditreports/Pages/SchoolDistrictExaminations.aspx|title=Adam Edelen Auditor of Public Accounts - School District Examinations|work=ky.gov|accessdate=November 12, 2015}}</ref> One exam led to criminal conviction of a former superintendent<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wcpo.com/news/region-northern-kentucky/william-gary-rye-former-dayton-schools-superintendent-pleads-guilty-to-embezzlement |title=William Gary Rye: Former Dayton schools superintendent pleads guilty to embezzlement |work=WCPO |accessdate=November 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024060016/http://www.wcpo.com/news/region-northern-kentucky/william-gary-rye-former-dayton-schools-superintendent-pleads-guilty-to-embezzlement |archivedate=October 24, 2014 }}</ref> and more than $500,000 returned to the community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wcpo.com/news/region-northern-kentucky/dayton-ky-school-district-to-recover-511000-from-former-superintendents-fraud-auditor-says |title=Dayton, Ky. school district to recover $511,000 from former superintendent's fraud, auditor says |work=WCPO |accessdate=November 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018163203/http://www.wcpo.com/news/region-northern-kentucky/dayton-ky-school-district-to-recover-511000-from-former-superintendents-fraud-auditor-says |archivedate=October 18, 2014 }}</ref> The Kentucky Department of Education began requiring school districts to post superintendent contracts online, aligning with recommendations from Edelen's office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apps.auditor.ky.gov/Public/Audit_Reports/Archive/2013SuperintendentTransparency-PR.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=apps.auditor.ky.gov |access-date=January 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402223240/http://apps.auditor.ky.gov/Public/Audit_Reports/Archive/2013SuperintendentTransparency-PR.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ky.gov">{{cite web|url=http://education.ky.gov/districts/FinRept/Pages/Superintendent-Compensation.aspx |title=Kentucky Department of Education : Superintendent Compensation |accessdate=March 21, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013344/http://education.ky.gov/districts/FinRept/Pages/Superintendent-Compensation.aspx |archivedate=March 22, 2014 }}</ref>
In 2014, Edelen proposed legislation to strengthen Kentucky's cyber security protections and require state and local government to notify citizens if their data is compromised in a data breach.<ref name="ky.gov"/> Kentucky was one of four states that lacked security breach notification laws. House Bill 5 passed the House 99–1 and the Senate unanimously.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/14RS/HB5.htm|title=14RS HB5|work=ky.gov|accessdate=November 13, 2014|archive-date=October 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016014041/http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/14RS/HB5.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2015, Edelen lost his re-election bid to Republican Mike Harmon.
The efforts of Edelen's auditor administration to expose the practice of special districts was a focus of a segment on ''Last Week Tonight with John Oliver''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3saU5racsGE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/3saU5racsGE |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Special Districts: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)|last=LastWeekTonight|date=March 6, 2016|publisher=|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
== Eastern Kentucky solar project == In 2017, news articles began circulating which detailed a project in which Edelen is involved that plans to install tens of thousands of solar panels on a reclaimed surface mine in eastern Kentucky. The project aims to create jobs for former coal miners in building and installing solar panels. The project is planned as the first large-scale solar panel installation in the Appalachian region and one of the largest in Kentucky.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/article145161604.html|title=Once a strip mine, this land could become a 'history-making' solar energy farm|website=kentucky|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2019}}</ref> In a 2018 interview with Kentucky Today, Edelen said he was prioritizing the project over a run for governor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kentuckytoday.com/stories/edelen-puts-project-ahead-of-run-for-governors-office,14571|title=Edelen puts project ahead of run for governor|last=|first=|date=|website=www.google.com|access-date=January 10, 2019}}</ref>
In January 2019, Edelen said the power has been sold and the project will move forward within the next few weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article224015690.html|title=Adam Edelen launches gubernatorial campaign 'for all Kentucky'|website=kentucky|language=en|access-date=January 10, 2019}}</ref>
== 2019 Kentucky gubernatorial campaign == {{main|2019 Kentucky gubernatorial election}} After nearly four years away from politics and in the private sector, Edelen declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor of Kentucky on January 7, 2019, making him the fourth and final Democrat to enter the race.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article224015690.html|title=Edelen declares for governor|last=|first=|date=|website=Lexington Herald-Leader|access-date=January 10, 2019}}</ref> Edelen chose Gill Holland, a Louisville community builder, filmmaker, and environmentalist, as his lieutenant governor candidate.
The ticket touted a platform of no PAC contributions, a living wage, acknowledgement of climate change, green jobs, fully funded public and higher education, universal broadband internet, expanded healthcare and protection of the Medicaid expansion. Edelen also pledged to appoint women to at least six of Kentucky's 12 cabinet positions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wfpl.org/former-democratic-state-auditor-adam-edelen-launches-bid-for-ky-governor/|title=Former Democratic State Auditor Adam Edelen Launches Bid For Ky. Governor|last=|first=|date=|website=WFPL|access-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref> He came in third in the primary.
==Awards== Edelen was one of ''Government Technology'' magazine's 2014 Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers, an award bestowed on innovators in the public sector across the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtech.com/top-25/Adam-Edelen-2014-GT-Top-25-Winner.html|title=Adam Edelen -- 2014 GT Top 25 Winner|work=govtech.com|accessdate=November 13, 2014}}</ref> In 2008, Edelen was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. This award is one of the oldest service honors in the United States, with previous recipients including John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton.
Other honors include: * New Leaders Council 40 Under 40 Leadership Award recipient<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newleaderscouncil.org/40_under_40|title=40 Under 40|author=New Leaders Council|work=New Leaders Council|accessdate=November 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110161837/http://www.newleaderscouncil.org/40_under_40|archive-date=November 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Aspen Institute Rodel fellow<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aspeninstitute.org/leadership-programs/aspen-institute-rodel-fellowships-public-leadership/rodel-fellows-class-2012 |title=Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowship Class of 2012 |work=The Aspen Institute |accessdate=November 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109050731/http://www.aspeninstitute.org/leadership-programs/aspen-institute-rodel-fellowships-public-leadership/rodel-fellows-class-2012 |archivedate=November 9, 2014 }}</ref> * American-Swiss Foundation Young Leader<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.lawreader.com/2008/09/25/beshear-chief-of-staff-adam-edelen-scores-national-award-as-one-of-top-ten-young-americans/|title=Beshear Chief of Staff, Adam Edelen, scores national award as one of top ten young americans « LawReader|work=lawreader.com|accessdate=November 13, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140322021914/http://news.lawreader.com/2008/09/25/beshear-chief-of-staff-adam-edelen-scores-national-award-as-one-of-top-ten-young-americans/|archivedate=March 22, 2014}}</ref>
==Community service== As a gubernatorial appointee to the board of Kentucky Educational Television, Edelen supported the 'Be Well Kentucky' initiative, which aimed to address public health issues in the state.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beshear Chief of Staff, Adam Edelen, scores national award as one of top ten young americans |work=lawreader.com |url=https://news.lawreader.com/?p=2002 |accessdate=April 16, 2019 |date=September 25, 2008 |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011135316/http://news.lawreader.com/?p=2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Personal life== Edelen has two twin sons, Wade and Hamilton. Edelen makes his home in Lexington, Kentucky. He is a member of Lexington's First Presbyterian Church. He is an avid sportsman, reader of history, and University of Kentucky basketball fan.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}
==References== {{Reflist}} {{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Crit Luallen}} {{s-ttl|title=Democratic nominee for Auditor of Kentucky|years=2011, 2015}} {{s-aft|after=Sheri Donahue}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Crit Luallen}} {{s-ttl|title=Auditor of Kentucky|years=2012–2016}} {{s-aft|after=Mike Harmon}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edelen, Adam}} Category:1974 births Category:Kentucky Democrats Category:Living people Category:People from Meade County, Kentucky Category:Kentucky auditors of public accounts Category:University of Kentucky alumni Category:Chiefs of staff to United States state governors