Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture

On the ballot November 2, 2027. Held now by Jonathan Shell.

Who holds it now

Jonathan Shell · official page
Eligible to run again source

Left–right placement

Moderately right, from the giving patterns of their campaign donors (DIME campaign-finance score, Stanford). Based on the 234 donors to their 2018 campaign for state House. DIME doesn't name donors: it places each one by everyone they give to, then places the candidate by their donors Source

Contact their office

Phone: 502-573-0282
Contact form
Office: Kentucky Department of Agriculture, 105 Corporate Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Official office contacts from the government's own listing.

Candidates so far

Jonathan Shell (Republican) · Registered a campaign committee: Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, November 8, 2023

As of November 4, 2026. "Reported" and "registered" names aren't on the ballot yet: the official list comes from Kentucky Secretary of State, and we update each name as official records appear. How we list candidates before the official list.

Run for this seat

Who can run

At least 30 years old at the time of election. source
A resident citizen of Kentucky for at least 2 years before the election. source

Filing

Where to file	Kentucky Secretary of State, 1025 Capital Center Drive, Suite 201, Frankfort, KY 40601
When	Party primary candidates: November 4, 2026 to 4:00 p.m. January 8, 2027. Independent, political group and political organization candidates: Statement-of-Candidacy by 4:00 p.m. April 1, 2027, and nominating petition by 4:00 p.m. June 8, 2027 (signatures may be gathered from November 4, 2026).
How	Party primary candidates file a Notification and Declaration (SBE 66) sworn before an officer authorized to administer oaths (such as a notary) by the candidate and two registered voters of the same party. Independent and political group/organization candidates file a Statement-of-Candidacy (SBE 59A) and then a nominating petition (SBE 59 and 59-2).
Fee	$500.
Petition instead	Party primary: signatures of two registered voters of the candidate's party. Independent and political group/organization candidates: a nominating petition signed by 5,000 registered voters of Kentucky.

Official filing information

Forms

Campaign money

Create an account in the Registry of Election Finance's online system and submit a Statement of Spending Intent (KREF 001, which also appoints a campaign treasurer) before raising or spending money; it is due within five days of filing for office. source
All campaign finance reports are filed electronically with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance (kref.ky.gov). source
A campaign depository (bank account) must be designated before receiving or spending any money for the campaign. source
Candidates for the seven statewide constitutional offices must file a 2026 Statement of Financial Disclosure with the Executive Branch Ethics Commission by February 15, 2027. source

Official candidate guide

From official sources, checked November 4, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with the Kentucky Secretary of State before you file. How to run in other 2027 elections.

Candidates

Candidates for this seat appear here once they file with the Kentucky Secretary of State. Filing closes January 8, 2027.

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