Sierra Enlow for Agriculture Commissioner: A critical component in repairing reproductive health in rural Kentucky

Frankfort, KY — Planned Parenthood Action Kentucky (PPAK) is proud to endorse Sierra Enlow for  Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture. A lifelong Kentuckian, Enlow grew up in Larue County on a fifth generation family farm and knows first-hand the importance of having access to reproductive health in rural communities.

Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates (PPAA-KY): 

“Kentucky has yet to elect a woman to serve as Agriculture Commissioner, and we know Sierra Enlow has what it takes to be the first. More importantly, Sierra Enlow will fight for reproductive health access in rural communities, ”said Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. “This race isn’t just about production agriculture, it’s about creating equitable access to economic development, food security, and rural health.”

As the largest regulatory body in the state, the Department of Agriculture transcends the farm community into consumer protection, economic development, and rural health initiatives. A lack of obstetric care is a significant problem in the rural United States, including in Kentucky where at least 72 counties do not have an obstetric care provider. According to a 2022 University of Kentucky report, areas with fewer obstetric services also had fewer businesses, as less access to health care means higher levels of unemployment and poverty–our economic prosperity depends on access to reproductive health care.

Additionally, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine recently published infant mortality has increased by 16 percent in states with abortion restrictions. Kentucky has some of the highest infant and maternal health outcomes in the country, which are only getting worse after Kentucky lawmakers stripped constituents of the right to abortion care.

Enlow’s opponent, Jonathan Shell, has a record of an extreme anti-abortion agenda: 

• Shell signed a pledge to ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest, and also to limit women's access to most common forms of birth control. 

• Shell answered yes to every question of the KY Right to Life Victory PAC, including that he would support the prosecution of doctors who perform abortions. 

• Shell voted to support every anti-abortion legislation during his time at the Kentucky General Assembly between 2017 and 2018, including a series of restrictions intended to limit abortion – earning him a 100% voting record from Right to Life.

The Department of Agriculture impacts the lives of Kentuckians in the most remote parts of the state, where reproductive health is often impossible to access. Providing pathways to reproductive health through rural health initiatives is an opportunity too important to neglect, and we know Sierra Enlow will make it a priority.