Kent Leonhardt (born April 2, 1954) is the West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture. Having been elected in November 2016, he took office January 2017. He is a member of the United States Republican Party.
Leonhardt is a farmer operating a 380-acre (150 ha) farm in western Monongalia County, West Virginia. He raises sheep, cattle, and goats. He formerly served in the West Virginia State Senate for the 2nd district. He is retired from the United States Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel. He holds a degree in wildlife management from the University of Missouri and an MBA from Central Michigan University.
Electoral history
| West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Election, 2012 |
|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Walt Helmick | 316,591 | 51.59 |
| Republican | Kent Leonhardt | 297,088 | 48.41 |
| West Virginia Senate 2nd District Election, 2014 |
|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Kent Leonhardt | 13,034 | 49.99 |
| Democratic | Larry J. Edgell (inc.) | 12,358 | 47.40 |
| Constitution | Jeffrey Jarrell | 681 | 2.61 |
| West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Election, 2016 |
|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Kent Leonhardt | 321,560 | 48.41 |
| Democratic | Walt Helmick (inc.) | 274,191 | 41.28 |
| Libertarian | Buddy A. Guthrie | 68,502 | 10.31 |
| West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Election, 2020 |
|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Kent Leonhardt | 480,386 | 64.98 |
| Democratic | Robert Beach | 258,912 | 35.02 |
| West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Election, 2024 |
|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Kent Leonhardt | 490,964 | 69.14 |
| Democratic | Deborah Stiles | 219,131 | 30.86 |
| Party political offices |
|---|
| Preceded byJ. Michael Teets | Republican nominee for Agriculture Commissioner of West Virginia 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024 | Most recent |
| Political offices |
| Preceded byWalt Helmick | Agriculture Commissioner of West Virginia 2017–present | Incumbent |