Voters in seven states will elect ag reps on Nov. 3
Voters across America head to the polls on Nov. 3 for the midterm elections.
In seven states voters will choose their next agriculture commissioner or secretary.
Here’s a final look at those states, the candidates, and some proposed ideas.
State | Republican Candidate | Campaign Proposals | Democrat Candidate | Campaign Proposals |
Alabama | Corey Hill | - Revival of rural crime task force
- Sees food security as a national security issue
| Ron Sparks | - Eliminate the 1.5 percent sales tax on farm equipment
- Supports COOL for imported food
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Florida | Wilton Simpson (incumbent) | - Protect rural communities from unnecessary development
- Reduce red tape for farmers
| Joey Atkins | - Close loopholes in ag property tax exemptions
- More transparency within the ag department
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Georgia | Tyler Harper (incumbent) | - Reduce labor costs related to the H-2A program
- Expand rural broadband
| Katherine Juhan-Arnold | - Expand local meat processing, cold storage and other ag infrastructure
- Protect farmland and support generational farm transitions
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Iowa | Mike Naig (incumbent) | - Improve soil health and water quality
- Expand export opportunities for Iowa ag
| Chris Jones | - Diversify crop production
- Support local meat processors
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North Dakota | Doug Goehring (incumbent) | - Expand ag research
- Increase international export opportunities
| Vern Thompson | - Increasing rural mental health resources
- Challenge market concentration in beef processing
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South Carolina | Cody Simpson | - Expanding voluntary easements to help farmland remain in production
- Create a Young Farmer Agribusiness Incubator program to support young farmers
| DeShawn Blanding | - Increase permanently protected farmland by 40% by 2040
- Establish a Farm Legal Assistance program to help farmers navigate regulations
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Texas | Nate Sheets | - Require data center developers to contribute to water and ag funds
- Create a marketplace to connect producers with consumers and manufacturers
| Clayton Tucker | - Supporting industrial hemp production
- Expand access to land and financing for young farmers
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Additional ag items will be on the ballot in other states.
Part of State Question 847 in Oklahoma, for example proposes lowering the annual property assessment increase limit for homesteads and farmlands from 3 percent to 1.75 percent.
Voters can find their polling place online.