Andy Barr endorses Ryan Quarles for agriculture commissioner

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Andy Barr has endorsed Ryan Quarles in the Republican primary for state agriculture commissioner.

Quarles is a Republican state representative from Georgetown running against fellow state Rep. Richard Heath of Mayfield. In a news release from the Quarles campaign, Barr said he endorsed Quarles because his background in agricultural economics and international trade has prepared him for the job. Quarles is an eighth-generation farmer and studied agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky.

The winner of the May 19 primary will face Democrat Jean-Marie Lawson Spann in the November general election. Current Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer is not seeking re-election. Comer is running for governor instead.

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