We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

Martin Luther King, Jr. is noted as saying those words, and perhaps they are more relevant now than ever before.

Since taking office in 2016, I have had the honor of serving as your 47th Auditor of Public Accounts, and last November, I was humbled by this great state allowing me to serve a second term. Prior to being elected Auditor, I served 13 years in the Kentucky General Assembly as State Representative for the 54th House District, which included Boyle and Washington counties most of that time, and Boyle and Casey towards the end.

During most if not all of that time in both positions, I have served an area with a party registration predominately the opposite of my own. However, whenever we are elected, we should serve all the people to the best of our ability regardless of political affiliation. I have worked diligently to try and honor that goal.

Sadly, over the almost 18 years of service, politics has become more and more divisive, and some have sought to label differences of opinion as evil and the opponent as the enemy.

However, Ephesians 6 is clear that our true enemy uses these tools to divide us, and it reminds us that a house divided cannot stand. So, let us come together and stand for what is right, what is just and what is lawful. And, in so doing, we may all come together as brothers and sisters.

When I took office, I gave our auditors a simple directive, “Follow the Data.” What that means is we don’t target anyone, and we don’t give anyone a pass, we simply follow the data.

Under my leadership, the Auditor’s office has completed high profile audits and examinations of entities and programs such as the Commonwealth’s public retirement systems, the Administrative Office of the Courts, KentuckyWired, the University of Louisville Foundation, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund, and many others. Our office has also supported legislation to strengthen city audit requirements, improve transparency of area development districts, and reduce the cost of audits for county officials.

Also, during this time, I have had the honor to get to know Representative Nancy Tate and see how hard she has worked for the citizens of the 27th House District. I have appreciated her conservative values and how she, much like myself, has served all regardless of political affiliation. That is why it is very easy for me to provide my endorsement for Representative Tate in her re-election efforts. I want to wish her the best of luck.

I will conclude this letter with my Mission Statement that I adopted shortly after my first election victory that I hope all may consider.

I have no desire to leave a legacy,
Except that I served my Lord,
I served my Family,
And I served my Country,
Well.

Thanks and God Bless,
Mike Harmon
KY Auditor of Public Account