On Tuesday night, Republican James Comer Jr. bucked statewide trends when he won the race for Kentucky Agricultural Commissioner. Tuesday was a bad night for Kentucky Republicans. Democrats won almost every statewide office up for election, sweeping to victory in the governor and lieutenant governor races, the attorney general race, the secretary of state race, and the auditor and treasure races.

The race for agricultural commissioner, on the other hand, was a bright spot for the GOP. In an unusually heated race, Comer crushed Democratic candidate Bob Farmer, even winning Farmer’s home county of Jefferson.

The election hinged on both men’s respective experience in the agricultural industry. Comer, a lifelong Kentucky resident, was the president of his local FFA, majored in agriculture at Western Kentucky University, and managed several successful farm operations.

Comer juxtaposed this experience with Bob Farmer’s background in marketing, public speaking, and a previous career as a comedian and humorist.

Portraying himself as a supporter of Kentucky bio-fuels, pledging to support state programs for young farmers, and championing urban farming in Kentucky, Comer garnered the support of both Democrats and Republicans. In a post-election interview, Comer stated, “We just had a great organization, a bipartisan organization… and just overwhelming support in the agriculture community, which really played a big role in my campaign.”

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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer