Quarles says he has a plan for Eastern Kentucky if elected governor

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles, who is one of 12 candidates vying for the Republican nomination to be Kentucky’s next governor, visited Williamsburg last week and wants voters in this region to know that he has a plan to promote Eastern Kentucky.

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner and Republican Governor candidate Ryan Quarles stopped in Williamsburg recently and met with officials at the Whitley County Courthouse, including PVA Ronnie Moses and 82nd Rep. Nick Wilson.

“For Eastern Kentucky, we want to make this part of the state a nationally recognized tourist destination. Eastern Kentucky was blessed by God when it was created with outdoor activities and natural beauty,” said Quarles adding that a lot of Eastern Kentucky counties have things going for them, such as the Jeep Jamboree in Whitley County.

“I want to be the governor who works with our judge-executives and local tourism boards to piece it all together. Kind of like what the bourbon industry did with the Bourbon Trail. Why not connect Eastern Kentucky together for trail riding, horseback riding, hiking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, ziplining, wildlife watching and hunting, then at the state level promote it as the premiere outdoor recreation site in the United States,” Quarles said.

“I think this would bring tourism into this part of the state at the next level. We don’t need to become Gatlinburg. We need to be Kentucky. I think that Eastern Kentucky already has the assets in place. We just need to get it organized and promote it at the national level.”

Quarles added that as someone, who routinely travels across the state, Eastern Kentucky is one of the most fun places he goes.

“It is not just about the great outdoors. It is about culture. It is about good food. It’s a part of the state that many people need to come visit and bring their tourism dollars with them,” he said.

Quarles said that his tax plan involves reducing the personal income tax level down to zero, and eliminating the estate tax. Kentucky is one of only 17 states that still has an estate tax.

Quarles noted that he would propose a budget that returns every single dollar of coal severance money back to the counties where that tax money originates.

Recent polls show Quarles in third place in the Republican gubernatorial contest behind front runner Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft.

Quarles said that the only poll he is worried about is what happens on May 16, which is primary election day.

“I feel like we are in great shape. I have yet to spend a single dollar on paid media and we are hanging in there with other candidates. I am the grass roots candidate in this race with over 230 endorsements from Republican elected officials, including many in Eastern Kentucky and many judge-executives in Eastern Kentucky. I feel like we have a grass roots network and a base that the other candidates don’t have. As the Commissioner of Agriculture, I have the farmers across Kentucky locked in helping us out,” Quarles said.

“I feel like in a low turnout race with only 20 percent voter turnout expected, the candidate, who is the most disciplined and the one that has the biggest base, will win. I feel like we have a great chance of winning this race. Don’t forget that over $6.5 million has been spent between other campaigns on television. We haven’t spent a single dollar yet and we are polling pretty high, which reflects our grassroots strength.”

Kentucky’s Primary Election will be held on May 16.