Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said he plans to start a company and return to his native Monroe County once his term ends in December.
Comer spoke Monday at the Hemp Industries Association's annual conference in Lexington. Comer told the group he built his political career around hemp and said Kentucky is now the leading industrial hemp-producing state in the country.
Comer lost the Republican primary for governor in May by 83 votes. Monday, he said he would likely never get over the race but left open the possibility of running for another office near his hometown in the future.
Comer has endorsed Republican Matt Bevin in the governor's race. Bevin faces Democrat Jack Conway in the November general election.