KENTUCKY — In the race to become’s Kentucky’s next Commissioner of Agriculture, Republican Jonathan Shell is challenging Democrat Sierra Enlow in the 2023 general election campaign. Shell is from Lancaster in Garrard County and served as a member in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019, representing District 71, which included Garrard, Rockcastle and a portion of Madison Counties. He served as majority leader form 2017 until 2019 and was the youngest majority leader in state history.

Enlow is a first-time candidate, who grew up on “multi-generation” family farm in LaRue County and graduated from the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture where she received degrees in Community & Leadership Development and Agricultural Economics. Enlow works professionally as an economic development consultant.

Shell beat two other primary challengers in May to advance to his party’s nomination, while Enlow did not appear on Kentucky’s primary ballot because she ran unopposed for her party’s nomination.

The two candidates joined In Focus Kentucky to discuss their campaign to become the next Commissioner of Agriculture, replacing current officeholder Ryan Quarles, who cannot run for a third, four-year term, due to state law.

The state agriculture commissioner promotes Kentucky farms and manages the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky ‘Conversation with the Commissioner of Agriculture candidates’ segment in the player above.