There are now two declared GOP candidates in the 2023 race for Agriculture Commissioner.
On Wednesday, former state House Majority Floor Leader and Garrard County farmer Jonathan Shell announced his candidacy for the position.
Shell is introducing himself early during one of the biggest weeks for agriculture in the Commonwealth – the Kentucky State Fair.
With a short video, Shell said he filed his letter of intent to raise funds and run for the constitutional office in two years.
The announcement from Shell comes weeks after state Rep. Richard Heath, R-Mayfield, announced he too would be filing for the seat. Heath has run for the post before but will have to clear a state House race in 2022 before pursuing a run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2023.
Current Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, R-Kentucky, is term-limited in his second term as commissioner. Quarles has his eyes set on running for governor.
