Republicans won five of the seven available ag commissioner seats
Ballots in seven states during the Nov. 3 midterms included a choice for the state’s agriculture commissioner or secretary.
Here’s how those races shaped up.
In Alabama, Republican Corey Hill defeated Democrat challenger Ron Sparks with 54 percent of the vote.
“I look forward to serving the people of Alabama as your Commissioner of Agriculture,” he said in a Facebook post.
Hill’s campaign proposals included reviving a rural crime task force, and viewing food security as national security.
Hill along with his Republican colleagues won five of the seven available state ag positions.
Incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson won re-election over Democrat Joey Atkins with 51.1 percent of support.
“Florida’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and growers are the backbone of our state and I am incredibly proud to advocate on their behalf,” he said on social media.
Wilton is committed to reducing red tape for farmers and protecting rural communities from development.
In Iowa, Democrat Chris Jones conceded the race to Republican incumbent Mike Naig, who received almost 53 percent of the vote.
“We’ll continue to strengthen Iowa agriculture by building markets internationally, domestically, and locally, working together to improve water quality, protecting our food supply, and ensuring our farms remain strong for the next generation,” Naig said in a statement.
North Dakota Republican incumbent Doug Goehring, the ag commissioner since 2009, held the ag commissionership against Democrat challenger Vern Thompson with about 63 percent of votes.
Goehring’s plan includes increasing exports for North Dakota ag goods.
In South Carolina, Republican Cody Simpson became the ag commissioner after receiving just over 51 percent of support.
“Tonight is a win for our farmers, rural communities, and every hardworking family who believes South Carolina agriculture is worth fighting for,” Simpson said online.
This race had four challengers with Democrat DeShawn Blanding posing the stiffest competition, winning 45.7 percent of the vote.
The Democrats won two state ag leadership races.
In Georgia, Katherine Juhan-Arnold defeated Republican incumbent Tyler Harper with about 54 percent of voter support.
She campaigned on promises to expand local meat processing, and to protect farmland and support generational transfers.
And in Texas, Democrat Clayton Tucker defeated Republican Nate Sheets with 51.3 percent of the vote.
“I’m humbled by your trust, and I promise to fight like hell for the working families who made this victory possible,” Tucker said.
At the federal level the Democrats took control of both chambers.
Democrats won 54 seats in the Senate, and 228 seats in the House.