Ryan Quarles
Encyclopedia
Ryan Francis Quarles from Scott County, Kentucky
, is a Republican
Kentucky State Representative for Kentucky House District 62 - Scott County. From 2005-2008, he served two consecutive terms on the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
as the Council's student member and various other leadership positions in Washington D.C. and Kentucky
.
, Kentucky
, where he graduated valedictorian and class president from Scott County High School in 2002. While working on the Quarles family farm, he went on to complete a triple major undergraduate and two master's degrees from the nearby University of Kentucky
in under 4 years. Quarles triple major was in Agriculture Economics, Public Service & Leadership, and Political Science and graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors in 2005. While enrolled in school, Quarles took as many as 27 credit hours per semester and was on the Dean’s List in each term. Throughout his academic career, Quarles has received numerous national academic awards including the Truman Scholarship
, Zuckerman Fellowship, as well as scholarships from the Future Farmers of America and Toyota Corporation. Quarles went on to earn four graduate degrees. As one of 25 Zuckerman Fellows nationally, Quarles was awarded a full-ride scholarship to Harvard University
where he completed a Master of Education
in 2009. Quarles also holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations from the Patterson School of Diplomacy, and a Juris Doctor
from the University of Kentucky College of Law
. Quarles has participated in study abroad and exchange programs to China, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Iceland, Israel, and Japan.
Governor Ernie Fletcher
appointed Quarles to two consecutive terms as a Council Member on the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
. Ryan was also appointed an ambassador for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Other experience includes working on the campaign of Governor Fletcher and as an intern for Republican Senator Damon Thayer in the Kentucky Senate. As an undergraduate student, Ryan was Chairman of the College Republicans
at the University of Kentucky
and that organization’s State Political Director in 2004.
In Washington, D.C.
, Quarles served as the Agricultural and Interior Intern for conservative Senator Mitch McConnell
. Quarles also served as an International Trade Analyst for the United States Foreign Agricultural Service
.
(D-Scott).
In May 2010, Quarles won a contested Republican primary election with 60% of the vote to be the Republican candidate from the 62nd Representative District in the Kentucky House of Representatives race.
On October 2, 2010, Quarles was arrested in Lexington, Kentucky
for reckless driving. "A police report said Ryan Quarles, 26, was arrested near North Mill and West Short streets in Lexington about 3:10 a.m. Saturday. Quarles was driving a black Jeep Cherokee through a parking lot, weaving through cars, the uniform citation said. The report said Quarles showed signs of intoxication and had a blood alcohol level of 0.067 when given a breath test. His blood alcohol level was below the legal limit of 0.08." Quarles pled guilty and paid a fine after the charge was lowered to careless driving.
In Nov 2010, Quarles received 8,508 votes (51%) to Charlie Hoffman's 8,287 (49%). In 2011, Qurales was appointed to the Kentucky House of Representatives committees on Agriculture & Small Business, Banking & Insurance, and Education.
Scott County, Kentucky
Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 47,173 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Georgetown.Scott County is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, is a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Kentucky State Representative for Kentucky House District 62 - Scott County. From 2005-2008, he served two consecutive terms on the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education coordinates change and improvement in Kentucky’s postsecondary education system as directed by the...
as the Council's student member and various other leadership positions in Washington D.C. and Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
.
Early life and education
Quarles is a native of GeorgetownGeorgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, where he graduated valedictorian and class president from Scott County High School in 2002. While working on the Quarles family farm, he went on to complete a triple major undergraduate and two master's degrees from the nearby University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
in under 4 years. Quarles triple major was in Agriculture Economics, Public Service & Leadership, and Political Science and graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors in 2005. While enrolled in school, Quarles took as many as 27 credit hours per semester and was on the Dean’s List in each term. Throughout his academic career, Quarles has received numerous national academic awards including the Truman Scholarship
Truman Scholarship
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is a highly competitive federal scholarship granted to U.S. college juniors for demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to public service. The scholarship is in the amount of $30,000 toward a graduate education...
, Zuckerman Fellowship, as well as scholarships from the Future Farmers of America and Toyota Corporation. Quarles went on to earn four graduate degrees. As one of 25 Zuckerman Fellows nationally, Quarles was awarded a full-ride scholarship to Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
where he completed a Master of Education
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
in 2009. Quarles also holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations from the Patterson School of Diplomacy, and a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Kentucky College of Law
University of Kentucky College of Law
The College of Law is a college of the University of Kentucky. Founded initially from a law program at Transylvania University in 1799, the law program at UK began operations in 1908; it was one of the nation's first public law schools...
. Quarles has participated in study abroad and exchange programs to China, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Iceland, Israel, and Japan.
Political career
In Kentucky, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor Ernie Fletcher
Ernie Fletcher
Ernest Lee "Ernie" Fletcher is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Kentucky. In 1999, he was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives; he resigned in 2003 after being elected the 60th governor of Kentucky and served in that office...
appointed Quarles to two consecutive terms as a Council Member on the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education coordinates change and improvement in Kentucky’s postsecondary education system as directed by the...
. Ryan was also appointed an ambassador for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Other experience includes working on the campaign of Governor Fletcher and as an intern for Republican Senator Damon Thayer in the Kentucky Senate. As an undergraduate student, Ryan was Chairman of the College Republicans
College Republicans
The College Republican National Committee is a national organization for college and university students who support the Republican Party of the United States...
at the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
and that organization’s State Political Director in 2004.
In Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Quarles served as the Agricultural and Interior Intern for conservative Senator Mitch McConnell
Mitch McConnell
Addison Mitchell "Mitch" McConnell, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Kentucky and the Republican Minority Leader.- Early life, education, and military service :...
. Quarles also served as an International Trade Analyst for the United States Foreign Agricultural Service
Foreign Agricultural Service
The Foreign Agricultural Service is the foreign affairs agency with primary responsibility for the United States Department of Agriculture's overseas programs—market development, international trade agreements and negotiations, and the collection of statistics and market information...
.
2010 election
In October 2009, Quarles announced that he would run for the Kentucky House of Representatives for the 62nd House District. At the time the District was represented by State Representative Charlie HoffmanCharlie Hoffman
Charles R. "Charlie" Hoffman was a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the 62nd District since 1997. He previously served as Majority Caucus Chair....
(D-Scott).
In May 2010, Quarles won a contested Republican primary election with 60% of the vote to be the Republican candidate from the 62nd Representative District in the Kentucky House of Representatives race.
On October 2, 2010, Quarles was arrested in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
for reckless driving. "A police report said Ryan Quarles, 26, was arrested near North Mill and West Short streets in Lexington about 3:10 a.m. Saturday. Quarles was driving a black Jeep Cherokee through a parking lot, weaving through cars, the uniform citation said. The report said Quarles showed signs of intoxication and had a blood alcohol level of 0.067 when given a breath test. His blood alcohol level was below the legal limit of 0.08." Quarles pled guilty and paid a fine after the charge was lowered to careless driving.
In Nov 2010, Quarles received 8,508 votes (51%) to Charlie Hoffman's 8,287 (49%). In 2011, Qurales was appointed to the Kentucky House of Representatives committees on Agriculture & Small Business, Banking & Insurance, and Education.