FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Five of Kentucky’s six statewide elected officers officially took office on Monday, giving the state some of the youngest elected leaders in the country.
Four of the five officers are under 40. Two of them, 32-year-old Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and 34-year-old Treasurer Allison Ball, are among the youngest statewide elected leaders in the country. Both are Republicans.
Republican Auditor Mike Harmon is 49 and a 12-year veteran of the state legislature.
Democrats have just two statewide elected officers in Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes and Attorney General Andy Beshear. Republican Gov. Matt Bevin and Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton took office last month. They were elected on the same ticket.
The swearing-in ceremony comes just one day before the state legislature convenes for its 2016 session.