Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced his candidacy for the 2023 gubernatorial race. Quarles has been serving as the AG commissioner since 2016.
He made the announcement on WKYT News’ Kentucky Newsmakers with Bill Bryant last week. Quarles also made it official by registering with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. He said he has been blessed to be where he’s at, especially as a kid that grew up on a tobacco farm.
“I would like to announce that I am running for governor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2023 because the voters deserve a choice on election day,” Quarles said. “They deserve a governor that’s going to bring us all together and unite Kentucky.”
So far, only one other Republican candidate, State Auditor Mike Harmon, has announced their candidacy. Democratic incumbent Andy Beshear is the lone Democrat so far.
“We want the voters and Kentuckians to know I am in this race and know it’s going to be a long process,” Quarles said, elaborating that he knows it’s going to be a crowded Republican field in 2023.
In a statement, Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge said that Beshear is the most popular Democratic governor in state history and has made Kentucky an electric battery-making hub with billions of dollars of new investments from Ford and Envisio.
“He has also led with a deep sense of compassion—understanding that these have been a trying, difficult few years and that here in Kentucky, we take care of each other and do right by our neighbors,” Eldridge said. “This stands in stark contrast to the self-enrichment and political grandstanding that has defined Quarles’ more than a decade in public office. If Quarles emerges from what looks like it will be a messy Republican primary, Kentucky voters will have a clear choice next November.”
Also, Quarles said it was a good legislative session in the interview. He was happy that pro-life legislation passed and the transgender sports bill. As agriculture commissioner, Quarles said he has been focused on a robust hemp program instead of cannabis.
“The governor vetoed a bill that simply said this ‘that biological boys should not be allowed to play in competitive (girls) sports up and through college,'” Quarles said. “I know that he vetoed that bill, but fortunately, common sense prevailed, and we have legislation in Kentucky that protects women’s sports in Kentucky.”