A Democrat recently announced his intentions to run for Iowa’s position
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Though the U.S. midterm elections aren’t until November, some races for positions, including for agriculture representatives, are already taking shape.
In Iowa, for example, Democrat John Norwood, the Polk County Soil & Water Commissioner, announced on Feb. 7 he’s running to be Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.
“My first priority will be to build urban and rural support around agriculture systems that are built to last – including strengthening the resilience of our 20+ million acres of corn and bean ground,” he said in a press release announcing his candidacy.
Norwood, or whomever is the Democrat representative come election day on Nov. 8, will likely be going up against Republican incumbent Mike Naig should he receive enough support in the primaries later this year.
Naig defeated Democrat challenger Tim Gannon in 2018, receiving 651,552, or 50.4 per cent of the vote.
In Texas, at least two people will be trying to secure the Democratic nomination for the state’s commissioner of agriculture.
Susan Hays, a Texas lawyer with roots in a rural community, and Ed Ireson, a businessman and rancher, have put their names into the mix.
Whomever the Democrat nominee is will be trying to unseat Republican incumbent Sid Miller.
Carey Counsil, a farmer and U.S. Air Force veteran, and James White, a member of the Texas House of Representatives, are vying for the Republican nomination.
In Florida, the Republicans and Democrats each have at least one confirmed candidate.
Ryan Morales, a political consultant, is running for the Democrats, while Wilton Simpson, president of the Florida Senate, will try to become the Republican nominee.
Florida will have a new ag commissioner regardless, as Democrat incumbent Nikki Fried is running for governor.