State Senator Kent Leonhardt announced today that he will run for agriculture commissioner in 2016. Senate President and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Cole introduced Leonhardt, calling him, “the candidate with the right blend of experience in planning and farming to modernize the office and harness the potential agriculture provides to help get West Virginia moving again.”
Leonhardt told supporters, “In 2012 when circumstances left the Republican Party without a candidate for agriculture commissioner, I was selected to run and came within 10,000 votes in my first statewide race.” Leonhardt went on to say, “Since that race, I was elected to the state Senate and have gained valuable government experience in my short time in office.”
“After much consideration, I have decided to run for agriculture commissioner again because we need to grow farming and better serve West Virginians,” declared Leonhardt in announcing his candidacy. “As a Marine Corps officer and longtime farmer, I have learned that planning and management are keys to success. I am running for agriculture commissioner to modernize state government’s role in helping our farmers grow and provide our citizens access to fresh food.”
Leonhardt entered the Marine Corps, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel where he received 10 personal commendation medals and coordinated operations between all four branches of the military. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Leonhardt and his wife restored an abandoned farm. He has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management and master’s degree in business.
