CHARLESTON — Cross one candidate for governor off your whiteboard.
Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt, a Republican, put out a statement Wednesday saying he will not run for governor and instead will seek re-election to the office he currently holds.
“I began my political career running for commissioner of agriculture and that is where I will finish it,” Leonhardt stated.
“My team and our supporters may be disappointed that I did not throw my hat into the race for governor, but I want to assure them I will not be sitting idly by in that decision. As I seek re-election, I will also be throwing my support behind those who have the best interests of the state, as well as agriculture.”
Twice-elected Gov. Jim Justice is up against a term limit, so the seat will be open in 2024. The field shaping up is wide open and seems particularly competitive among candidates from West Virginia’s dominant Republican Party.
Declared candidates for governor so far include Secretary of State Mac Warner and House Judiciary Chair Moore Capito, both Republicans.
Political figures who still might jump in include state Auditor J.B. McCuskey, who has said he has a high likelihood of getting in the race, and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who has described weighing a range of candidacy options.
More Republican candidates who have filed so far include Terri Bradshaw of Gandeeville and Rashida Yost of Martinsburg. Former Delegate Marshall Wilson has also filed to run under America Coming Together.
On the Democratic side, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams has said “there’s no other position to be in, in my mind, than to be governor.”
Leonhardt has served as agriculture commissioner since 2017 and was re-elected in 2020. Prior to that, he served two years in the state Senate.
Leonhardt is a farmer operating a 380-acre farm in western Monongalia County. He raises sheep, cattle and goats.
“When I first began my political career, I vowed to always do what was right for West Virginia and the citizens of our state,” Leonhardt stated Wednesday.
“Right now, that includes continuing to advocate for West Virginia agriculture in order to tackle rising food prices, looming shortages and our mission to create more resilient agricultural systems. With the war in Ukraine, increasing energy prices, supply chain issues and attacks by foreign agents, securing our agricultural industries is now more important than ever.”
