About Kent

Kent Leonhardt began his service to the State of West Virginia in 2014, when he was elected to the West Virginia State Senate to serve the people of the 2nd Senatorial District. The district, at the time, was one of the largest and most rural in West Virginia. It contained parts of or all of the following counties: Marshall, Wetzel, Gilmer, Marion, Monongalia, Tyler, Doddridge, Calhoun, and Ritchie. In 2016, he was elected as the West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture and is currently in his second term.

Kent Leonhardt is a longtime farmer who began his passion for the industry at a very young age while still serving in the United States Marine Corps. In the middle of his military career, he bought a farm near Blacksville, WV that had sat abandoned for almost 30 years. The farm, where he still lives today, was purchased in 1982, and started cultivating crops and raising livestock in 1997.  For twenty years, Kent, with the help of his wife Shirley, raised sheep, cattle and goats and sold hay when there was a surplus available.

Kent received his formal education at the University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management. While earning his degree, he took a variety of courses covering issues pertinent to agriculture as well as natural resources and environmental protection. Kent furthered his education by earning a Master’s in Business Management from Central Michigan University.

Besides earning post-secondary degrees, Kent served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1996. During that time, he served on multiple joint service assignments leading men and women in war and peace. Throughout his service, Kent received a variety of decorations including: Legion of Merit, Combat Action Ribbon and 8 other personal decorations.

Together, Kent and Shirley have three sons and six grandchildren. Kent is a member of the Monongalia County Farm Bureau, past president of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture, President of the Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame, and on the board of Directors for Operation Welcome Home.  He is a life member of both the Marine Corps League and The American Legion.
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