He is a member of the Democratic Party and is serving as a senior advisor to the Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear.

[3] Adkins finished in second place in the Democratic primary, losing to then-Kentucky Attorney General Beshear.

[4] Adkins attended Elliott County High School and Morehead State University (MSU).

He was inducted into the MSU Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004 and named the recipient of the 2012 Founders Award for University Service.

Adkins ran unopposed in 11 out of his 12 re-elections to his seat in the Kentucky Legislature, the only contested election being in 2016 when he won by a margin of 32%.

[11] During his announcement, Adkins stated that Stephanie Horne, a seat on the Jefferson County Board of Education, would be his running mate.