West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt won a third term in the office on Tuesday.
The Associated Press called the race for Leonhardt, a Republican, over his Democratic challenger Deborah Stiles at 8:50 p.m. Tuesday. At that time, Leonhardt had about 69% of the vote compared to Stiles’ 31%, with 46% of votes counted.
Leonhardt, a Marine and longtime farmer in Blacksville, previously served in the state Senate. He was first elected as Agriculture Commissioner in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020. He is a member of the Monongalia County Farm Bureau and past president of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
Stiles is a farmer and retired agriculture and rural policy researcher who lives in Parsons. She lives on a family farm on Limestone Mountain that raises vegetables, sheep, goats, cattle and poultry.
Accordingly Campaign Finance Reports According to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, Leonhardt raised more than $265,000 as of mid-October. Styles only brought in about $7,300.
