State Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for governor last spring, is running for the U.S. House in southwestern Kentucky, reports the Ashland Independent. Comer planned to return to private life when his term as commissioner ended in December. But 11-term incumbent Ed Whitfield announced last week that he will retire in 2016, creating an open seat. The 1st House District covers the westernmost quarter of the state and extends along the Tennessee border to central Kentucky. Comer ran well in that part of the state in the gubernatorial primary, said the Independent. Also running for the House seat is Michael Pape, Whitfield’s district director.