With election season in Kentucky right around the corner, the Kentucky Farm Bureau hosted their Measure the Candidate Forum on Tuesday where State Agriculture Commissioner candidates, Democrat Sierra Enlow and Republican Jonathan Shell shared their stances on state issues.
Enlow is a political newcomer from LaRue County who was raised in an agricultural household. with a background in agricultural economics and currently works as an economic development consultant for companies and communities.
Shell is a former member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. He represented District 71 from 2013 to 2019, served as the Republican Majority Leader from 2017 to 2019 and is now a full-time farmer. Shell also serves on the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Board of Lexington which works to advocate for children who have been removed from their homes.
Tuesday’s forum tested candidates on their approach to ensuring agriculture remains viable in Kentucky, formulating budget priorities, addressing the veterinarian shortage and much more.
Responding to how she’d ensure agriculture remains viable in the state, Enlow says as she has been on the campaign trail, she has already worked to take a survey of Kentucky agriculture and what agriculture groups across the state need. Enlow says she has done this to ensure she has a plan on the first day she takes office.
In response to the same question, Shell says for the state budget he would like ensure that it accounts for what farmers in the state will need in the future. One item he would like to see on the budget is funding for a group of farmers to be able to travel across the state as agriculture advocates.
Shell also shared his confidence for working with the General Assembly saying it’s something that he has done on a daily basis having served as Republican Majority Leader and that he has good relationships with those currently serving.
However, Enlow offered a rebuttal asking Shell how he would secure bipartisan support. Shell responded saying that he worked with Democrats and believes agriculture should not be a bipartisan matter.
With Kentucky currently undergoing a large animal veterinarian shortage the candidates were asked about how they plan to address the shortage and what initiatives they would implement to support vets in rural Kentucky.
Shell says he would want to work with regional universities to ensure that vet students come back to Kentucky after their education as well as increase Kentucky student slots at regional vet schools.
To work toward addressing the shortage, Enlow says she wants to look into partnering with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to offer work force training to vet technicians. For incentive, Enlow says she plans to ensure state vet positions are offering competitive wages to attract more talent and support those taking on the work in the industry.
Both Enlow and Shell will be on this year’s general election ballot for state Agriculture Commissioner on November 7.