GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. — On Tuesday night, Agriculture Commissioner-elect Jonathan Shell and Kentucky State Treasurer-elect Mark Metcalf appeared at a watch party where they ultimately celebrated their victories.
Metcalf stopped by Lancaster’s town center to give a victory speech to his supporters.
“I believe very much that what we’ve accomplished tonight will have the kind of impact that will lead other rural Kentuckians to declare for office, in positions of leadership across this great Commonwealth of ours,” said Metcalf.
Metcalf is a Republican who was up against Democrat Michael Bowman to fill a position that was left open by Allison Ball. She was term limited and ultimately won her race to be Kentucky State Auditor on Tuesday night.
The state treasurer’s role is Kentucky’s chief fiscal officer and takes care of revenue deposits and unclaimed property.
“My first order of business will be to put people in place who will take care of Kentuckians and my rule is this: the door is open and we’re wanting to listen to everyone who has something to say to us so that we do our job the best we can,” said Metcalf.
With Gov. Andy Beshear’s re-election victory on Tuesday night, Metcalf plans to work across the aisle.
“I said during the campaign, that regardless of who the governor was, that I would be creative and collaborative with the governor, working with him wherever we agree and trying to iron out any differences that we had in order to realize the best interest of Kentuckians and I will keep that promise,” said Metcalf.
Metcalf has served as Garrard County Attorney on-and-off for decades and says that it’s a job he’s loved, but is now looking forward to the next chapter.