Kentucky’s new Commissioner of Agriculture is the youngest statewide official to be elected.  The Commissioner-elect, Ryan Quarels, is 32 years of age and is one of two millennial Republicans to win a Kentucky Constitutional office in 2015.

Quarles grew up on a family farm in Kentucky.  He raised his own crops to cover college expenses and graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors from the University of Kentucky.  In three years he earned three undergraduate degrees; Agriculture Economics, Public Service and Leadership and Political Science.  He also holds a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Economics and Diplomacy from the University of Kentucky, a Master’s in Education from Harvard and a law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.  He has served internships at the Foreign Ag service and the DC office of Senator Mitch McConnell.

This election sheds light on the rising influence of millennials in politics, particularly the Republican party which recently elected Congresswoman Elsie Stefanik in 2014.  Quarels believes more and more of his generation are looking to run for public office.

Quarles is supported by Ag America, a coalition of agricultural leaders dedicated to electing and supporting candidates for public office with a proven record of supporting American agriculture.