Recommendation:
The Texas Patriots PAC recommends Sid Miller for Agriculture Commissioner. Mr. Miller has a proven track record of adhering to the conservative attributes necessary to receive a recommended designation by the Texas Patriots PAC.
Agriculture Commissioner
The Agriculture Commissioner oversees the Texas Department of Agriculture. The key objectives of the department are to promote production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. https://www.texasagriculture.gov/About/WhatdoesTDAdo.aspx
The three candidates in the race for Agriculture Commissioner are as follows: Carey Counsil, Sid Miller (incumbent) and James White.
Sid Miller
A farmer and former agriculture teacher, Sid Miller was first elected to serve as agriculture commissioner in 2014. He also served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2001-2013 representing District 59.
During his two terms in office, Miller has shown himself to be a strong conservative and has performed his duties as Agriculture Commissioner well.
He has been involved in a few scandals during his time in office however. Most recently, one of his aides was indicted on charges of theft and bribery in a hemp license scheme. This aide is still employed by and has the support of Miller.
https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/18/sid-miller-todd-smith-hemp-licenses-indicted-ag-department/
The Miller campaign has $228,199.86 cash on hand (with an outstanding loan of $200,000). Miller is running a solid campaign.
Carey Counsil
While Mr. Counsil’s values and his stand on the issues in this race do align with those of the Texas Patriots PAC, he does not appear to have a path to victory as evidenced by a lack of campaign funds. Thus, this report will focus on James White and Sid Miller.
James White
James White presents a credible challenge to the incumbent, Sid Miller. Mr. White served six terms in the Texas House of Representatives District 19, and has a reputation as a staunch conservative. He is a retired Army officer and former teacher. He is a small beef producer and served on the Texas House of Representative’s Agriculture and Livestock Committee. His background in the House deals mostly with law enforcement and juvenile justice issues. https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=19 Given the scandals that have followed Sid Miller during his time in office, Mr. White has pledged to restore ethics and transparency to the Texas Department of Agriculture.
The White campaign has $298,464.64 cash on hand (https://thetexan.news/2022-election-war-room/). Mr. White is making appearances across the state in his effort to unseat the incumbent.