Candidate Comparison: Texas Agriculture Commissioner

Miller vs. Olson vs. Carpenter

Texas Agriculture Commissioner

Over the past year, we have been asking candidates running for various local and statewide offices to answer questions for our Voter Guide. While full responses are available at AmarilloVotes.com, we are offering you shortened versions in “Candidate Comparisons” ahead of the November election. Each response below came directly from the candidate’s questionnaire and are unedited.

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Sid Miller (Republican)

Occupation: Incumbent

Why did you decide to run for agriculture commissioner?

“I am proud of my record of leadership at the Texas Department of Agriculture where I have streamlined operations, increased services and response times, and done more with less.”

What should the Agriculture Commissioner's role be in advocating for farmers and ranchers in Texas?

“As Commissioner of Agriculture I serve as the voice of Texas farmers, ranchers, ag producers, agribusiness owners, and consumers. I have carried the interests of our agriculture community to both our state and national capitals and from the Governor's Mansion to the White House.”

Why should voters choose you in 2018?

“When I first took office, the TDA was not fulfilling its proper role. Today it is.”

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Kim Olson (Democrat)

Occupation: Farmer, beekeeper, pilot, veteran (Col. USAF, ret.), advocate

Why did you decide to run for agriculture commissioner?

“I have the background and experience needed to move Texas agriculture ahead, into a promising future.”

What should the Agriculture Commissioner's role be in advocating for farmers and ranchers in Texas?

“My platform represents months of travel throughout the state listening to Texans from every walk of life about the issues they care about. Although the Agriculture Commissioner does not legislate, the Commissioner should be a voice for farmers in the state legislature and should represent agriculture in conjunction with other agencies on issues of land preservation and water conservation.”

Why should voters choose you in 2018?

“I am running for something, and not against someone. I will return professionalism and respectability to the office. ”

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Richard Carpenter (Libertarian)

Occupation: Retired

Why did you decide to run for agriculture commissioner?

“I am greatly concerned about the effect of climate warming on agriculture in the west half of Texas over the next 25 years. Farmers and ranchers in that part of the state will not have enough water to survive.”

What should the Agriculture Commissioner's role be in advocating for farmers and ranchers in Texas?

“Ranchers and farmers need the Ag Commissioner to push their agenda with state officials. The office should be supporting agriculture producers, and not telling them what to do.”

Why should voters choose you in 2018?

“I am looking 25 years down the road. I want Texas to plan and prepare for the next generation of Texans. I will do this each day I'm in that office.”