As of Jan. 7, three people have declared for the Republican primary.
Corey Hill, a farmer, grocery store operator, and the mayor of Douglas, is among them.
He wants to reduce red tape and expand some food programs.
“Regulations are hard on farmers. We’re going to work to maintain those at a low level,” Hill told 1819 News. “The Sweet Grown Alabama program the ag department has done has been phenomenal and I want to continue to expand that. Right now, there’s a program where they take farmers’ food and sell it to the schools’ lunch rooms. I’d love to expand that program. There was a rural crime division at one time that ran through the ag department, I’d love to bring that back.”
Christina Woerner McInnis, a fifth-generation farmer and founder of AgriTech Corp from Baldwin County, also wants to be the Republican nominee.
Her five-point plan for agriculture includes protecting farmland from foreign interests, strengthening the farm bill and nutrition programs, and supporting the next generation of farmers.
“Families deserve healthy, affordable, Alabama-grown products, and our farmers deserve policies that put them first,” her plan says.
The third person seeking the Republican primary in the Alabama ag commissioner election is Jack Williams, a current state senator from the 34th district.
A fourth-generation farmer, Williams says his lawmaking resume, which includes supporting a ban on lab-grown meat, and cutting taxes on agricultural fencing, shows he’s supportive of the ag industry.
“Time and again, he has proven to be a trusted friend to cattlemen, foresters, producers, and small business owners across Alabama,” his campaign page says.
As of early January, only one confirmed candidate has emerged to represent the Democrats in the ag commissioner election.
That person is Dr. Deidra Willis, founder of DJW Enterprise, which provides land development, and property management services.
She’s also known as The Bougie Farmer.
“Our mission is to merge traditional farming practices with modern innovation,” the DJW Enterprise website says.
In terms of her promises if elected ag commissioner, Willis commits to supporting urban and minority farmers, building co-ops with fair pay, and investing in youth, innovation and ag-tech.
A familiar name in Alabama ag could take another run at the ag commissionership.
Ron Sparks, who served as ag commissioner from 2002 to 2010, is weighing his options.
“I don't have a problem standing up and defending anything we did at the Department of Agriculture,” he told 1819 News in December. “I think we brought it from the bottom to the top. That's why I'm contemplating looking at it again and possibly getting in this race and running. I don't see anything overwhelming that's been done the last few years. I think the vision that I've had when I was at the department, I think it speaks for itself."
Be sure to visit Farms.com often to learn about the ag commissioner election landscape in the other six states.