Seven states held ag elections during the midterms
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Two states will have new voices leading their respective agriculture departments.
Seven states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, North Dakota, South Carolina and Texas) held agriculture commissioner elections during the 2018 midterms.
Alabama and Florida have elected new people to handle the state agriculture portfolios.
In Alabama, Republican Rick Pate won the opportunity to become the state’s commissioner of agriculture and industries after running uncontested.
Pate will take over for John McMillan, who left the agriculture post to successfully run for State Treasurer.
Pate earned a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Auburn University owns a landscaping business, and his father, Harold, was an award-winning cattle producer. He’s also been the mayor of Lowndesboro, Ala., since 1997.
In Florida, the results for the agriculture commissioner’s race was so close it went to a recount.
After the recount, Democrat Nikki Fried won the position by only 6,753 votes over Republican Matt Caldwell.
Fried is the first Democratic leader of Florida’s agriculture department in 12 years and the first woman to hold the position. She will replace Adam Putna, who left the ag portfolio to participate in the gubernatorial election.
She earned a law degree from the University of Florida and is a medical marijuana advocate.
Voters in the other five states chose to re-elect the incumbents.
In Iowa, Republican Mike Naig defeated Democratic candidate Tim Gannon.
Republican Gary Black will return as Georgia’s ag commissioner after besting Democrat Fred Swann.
In North Dakota, Republican candidate Doug Goehring defeated Democrat Jim Dotzenrod.
Republican Hugh Weathers defeated two candidates to retain his position as South Carolina’s ag commissioner.
And Republican Sid Miller won re-election in Texas after defeating Democrat Kim Olson.
Rick Pate and Nikki Fried/Google photos