Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles officially launched his campaign for governor Wednesday in Georgetown near his family farm after making the announcement in May.
Quarles said Wednesday he would run a “people first” campaign. He also attacked Gov. Andy Beshear’s record and decision-making during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“Folks, just because we live through a once in a century pandemic,” Quarles said, “does not mean our Constitutional rights, freedoms, and liberties should be ignored.”
The 38-year old Scott County Republican, who is term-limited after serving two four-year terms as Commissioner, then rolled out his campaign endorsements, including Rep. Kim Moser (R-Taylor Mill), and other state representatives, state senators, and county judges/ executive.
Quarles said he chose June 1 to launch his bid because it is the 230th anniversary of Kentucky’s statehood. He took a shot at Beshear while highlighting his deep Kentucky roots.
“Just because my family was here to see Kentucky’s first birthday doesn’t mean I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth,” Quarles said.
Kentucky Democratic Chair Colmon Eldridge released a statement highlighting Beshear’s accomplishments, including announcing 33,000 jobs and economic development records.
“Just yesterday, Gov. Beshear announced more than $2 million in investments in Scott County to give families more safe and quality places to spend time together,” Eldridge said. “Despite his more than a decade as a self-serving and self-promoting politician, Kentuckians would struggle to list a single accomplishment from Ryan Quarles. Quarles bungled his rollout for governor, showing he isn’t even ready to run for governor, much less serve as governor. If Quarles emerges from what increasingly looks like it is going to be an extreme, nasty, and expensive Republican primary, Kentucky voters will have a clear choice next November.”