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GOP Rep. Ryan Quarles to Run for Ag Commissioner

Ryan Quarles' Facebook

A three-term Republican state lawmaker says he will seek the Republican nomination for state Agriculture Commissioner.

State Rep. Ryan Quarles made the announcement in his hometown of Georgetown flanked by two John Deere tractors and surrounded by bales of hay. Quarles, who was re-elected to a third term in the state House last month, was endorsed by current Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who is not running for re-election in 2015 because he is running for governor.

Democrat Jean-Marie Lawson Spann has already filed paperwork to run for state Agriculture Commissioner. She has endorsements from state Auditor Adam Edelen, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth and former state House Speaker Jody Richards.

Agriculture Commissioner is the only statewide constitutional office held by a Republican. Democrats control the other offices, including governor.