What does that title mean? margin: 0; But what do you expect from a guy when one of his first acts when he became AG Commissioner was to promote junk food in public schools? Patricks office wanted to ban smokable hemp. About eighty percent of the budget of that agency is school lunch for people with disabilities and people with food security. But, you know, he wasnt much help. } (Opinion), Israeli-Palestinian progress means mutual recognition (Opinion), Huffines: Lege property tax cut proposals are Band-Aid solutions, Ten Commandments don't belong in Texas public schools (Opinion). Heres how the candidates line up on two key issues in the race: marijuana and rural health care. color: #fff; Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. An example is the Delta-8 issue. The job of this position is to bring as many federal dollars back to Texas as possible. margin: 0px 10px; I was in a county that had kind of a regional hospital that used to be locally controlled its now privately held and poorly run. @media screen and (max-width: 350px) { The Sunset Commission said were the best state agency theyve ever reviewed, so I think that says a lot about what weve done and what type of people we have with the TDA, Miller said. Well, Ill start by saying Sid Miller needs to focus on his own job and quit throwing out red-meat sound bites. Agriculture commissioner is also on the ballot, with incumbent Sid Miller, a Trump-backed Republican, facing Democrat Susan Hays. background-color: green; So what would you like to see Texas do, and how would your role as agriculture commissioner fit in there? Hays displays a firm command of policy and also struck us as a clear communicator. Our commitment to ethical, fact-based journalism is vital to our democracy, and we cant do it without you. Contact our sales team. This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. And out there, theres three counties that share one hospital with 25 beds and only three ventilators. Aside from trying to help make sure there are more rural health care facilities, she said she would also push for the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass a bill expanding Medicaid in the state under the Affordable Care Act. If youre an hour away from getting emergency care, youre more likely to die or be permanently disabled.. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; What's on my ballot? display: table; background-color: grey; font-weight: bold; width: 100% !important; --progress-bar: #f0a236; Doctors were providing care that they practiced a few times in medical school and dont regularly do because theres no other option. Republican Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and Democratic challenger Susan Hays. .key-messages li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0px;} Mon, February 21st 2022, 5:35 PM PST. County election offices are supposed to post on their websites information on polling locations for Election Day and during the early-voting period by Oct. 18. background-color: #ccc; However, crop insurance does not make up for the millions of dollars in lost products, whether that be cotton or vegetable crops. Updated: 10 AM Central. Ill also say this about rural healthcare, having grown up in rural Texas, I know how important having a rural hospital is to the local economy. width: 100%; color: #6db24f; } Susan Hays. And I also enjoy getting my boots dirty and getting out there.. Do you value our journalism? Who a person voted for is not public record. Doing more to help farmers instead of nickel and dime tax them to death, which is what Miller does. And if you look at polling data, medical [marijuana] is almost perfectly bipartisan and its high support. color:white; Susan will fight hard for us.

} When it comes to farming and ranching, the chief of the Texas Department of District of Columbia (board of education), https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Susan_Hays&oldid=8769198, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture candidate, 2022, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. .clearfix { Adrian Billings is a family medicine physician with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where he focuses on reviving rural health care. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. .inner_percentage { The Texas Attorney Generals office also opened 390 cases looking at potential electoral fraud from January 2020 to September 2022, but it only secured five election-related convictions during that period. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. State legislature | But I watched him not be able to change anything, not be able to use the power youd think hed have as a Trump guy. .large-date { text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600;} If he wants to worry about pandemic issues, he needs to worry about rural hospitals and not vaccine mandates. Compare the candidates answers to our questions in our Voter Guide. Politics is the art of the possible. })(); See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection. Ive been a civil appellate lawyer for some years, and as I shifted my practice, I was named super lawyer in the cannabis category. }, 100); Find your county website here. It sounds like maybe the Legislature would be more of a fit, if youre talking about the kind of sweeping changes youre suggesting. margin-bottom:16px; Millers challenger Susan Hays says another kind of outside influence has already tainted his office. But she wants to legalize the crop for more than the popularity points. Democratic challenger Susan Hays, left, will face Republican Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in November. 4 min read. .inner_percentage.Republican { Im a policy wonk and smart enough to figure out how to get things done the right way, Hays said. Susan Hays offers a much-needed and sensible new vision for state Agriculture Department The Texas Department of Agriculture commissioner has a big job. background-color: #6db24f; There were no incumbents in this race. Whether its Miller or Hays in office next year, the agriculture commissioner has several issues coming to a head. The board is separate from the newsroom and other sections of the paper. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Billings said it would be greatly beneficial if the agriculture department would help with that mission. And she wants to pay farmers for putting carbon back into the soil to combat climate change, which can be done through methods like cover crops or conservation tilling. Ive always been deeply attached to the land, and enjoy being out in it and getting dirt under my fingernails, Hays said. .inner_percentage.Democratic { Abbott criticized for dehumanizing victims of mass shooting by calling them illegal, Texas college baseball player shot during game, Man fatally shot by Dallas police wounded 2 relatives before shooting cop, dog, chief says, Stanley Cup playoff central: Stars-Kraken schedule, stories Dallas fans need to know, Hot List: 15 great bars and restaurants to visit in Dallas-Fort Worth in May 2023, Luxury North Dallas rental community sells to national investor, Forest Hill widow facing eviction for I-20 widening gets deadline extension, Lancaster lands $80 million cold storage project, Record D-FW hotel development could bring more than 30,000 rooms, JPMorgan steps up to buy First Republic after government seizure, How Dallas video game icon Randy Pitchford became the new owner of Hollywoods Magic Castle, American Airlines pilots authorize strike as carrier says a contract deal is near, Pete DeBoer says Stars have one key trait shared by championship-caliber teams, Cowboys 2023 undrafted free agent tracker: See which players Dallas added after NFL draft. No one trusts the incumbent to do whats right for Texas. Miller, who faced similar attacks during a three-way primary earlier this year that he won handily, said controversies about him are a Democratic strategy and a low way to campaign. } The two towns have rich histories in farming and ranching. We have a really great hemp bill, at least I like to think so because I helped write it. padding-bottom: 3px; She said these are still important issues that need to be addressed by state leaders. And not just traditional criminal black market, but PTA moms from Dallas come from Colorado with products. I was thinking when you were talking about drafting the hemp law Miller embraced it, as I recall now. .race_header { Voters who vote by mail can use an online tracker to check the status of their mail-in ballot. Election day is Nov. 8. I grew up in Brown County. text-align: center; Do you value our journalism? Photo courtesy of Susan Hays The race for Texas agriculture commissioner is smokin maybe not by any popular political science metric as Texas He served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2001-13. Source, tusa-race-stage-summary, tusa-person-summary, tusa-filing-dates { But a big part of this job is pulling down those federal dollars for economic development programs or health care. He was drawn to the Republican Party because he saw it as the party of freedom. My husband and I are now out in Brewster County and a lot of counties like Brewster, there are only one, maybe two, health insurance providers and they get to dictate the terms and that is not fair to rural Texans, said the Democrat. | Dan Patrick has been very adamant against marijuana legalization. In his spare time, he is a recognized rodeo cowboy who holds 12 world championship titles. Before Roe v. Wade was overturned, Texans had been living under a de facto abortion ban for months. } Theres been so many closures. Two Democrats, Hays and Ed Ireson, are running to put an end to Millers bumbling reign. margin-bottom: .75em; Hays spoke against Millers lawsuit opposing the U.S. Department of Agricultures program to provide funds and debt relief for farmers of color. } } Winner of 2022 Pulitzer Prize in editorial writing. Attorney Susan Hays filed to run as a Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner, taking on the current occupant Republican Sid Miller. margin-top: 0px; background-color: #f4f4f4; Susan Hays' career experience includes owning a law practice and working as a lawyer and farmer. margin-top: 16px; They could not make it without that expanded patient base. His opponent, Democrat Susan Hays, a former Dallas County Democratic Party chairwoman, has made Millers ethics baggage a central message of her campaign. Republican Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, seeking a third term, is facing Democrat Susan Hays, an Alpine attorney who worked for the Legislature and Texas Supreme Court, in the Nov. 8 election. The fight for sustainable agriculture and rational, safe cannabis laws, including legalization, isnt.. Shes worked as an attorney and a lobbyist. Do you really trust Sid Miller with your kids school lunch? display: inline-block; AUSTIN The race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner has focused less on the positions responsibilities and more on the controversies involving the Republican incumbent throughout his almost eight years in office. He was first elected in 2014 and has since been able to stave off being unseated by both Democratic and Republican challengers. The coalition also has hotlines available in other languages and for Texans with disabilities. Thats awful to do to people. .widget-row.heading { And then there is rural health care, a topic Hays evoked at a recent rally with gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke at Texas Tech University. He later turned it into 20 world rodeo championships. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Election Results 2022: Sid Miller Defeats Susan Hays - The New York Times Advertisement Senate House Uncalled House Races indictment of a top aide on corruption charges. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller onstage on the final day of the Texas Republican Convention in San Antonio on June 16, 2018. I spent the pandemic in a county that shares a hospital with two other counties with 25 hospital beds and three ventilators, Hays said. Youre allowed to vote by mail only if: You will be 65 or older by Election Day, you will not be in your county for the entire span of voting, including early voting, you cite a sickness or disability that prevents you from voting in person without needing personal assistance or without the likelihood of injuring your health, youre expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day or you are confined in jail but otherwise eligible (i.e., not convicted of a felony). Youll want to check for open polling locations with your local elections office before you head out to vote. This includes Millers reputation for making offensive remarks about immigrants, spreading falsehoods on social media, and the indictment of his longtime political consultant on charges of theft and bribery in exchange for state hemp licenses. However, polling locations may change, so be sure to check your countys election website before going to vote. .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h3.votebox-header-office-name { Hays promotes practices that could help farmers boost their crop growth even with Texas changing climate. } font-size: .9em; View race. Republican Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and Democratic challenger Susan Hays. And at the time we really needed some better regulations out of USDA. Throughout her legal career, Oct. 20, 20225 AM Central. Find more details here. --link-color: #337ab7; Unfortunately for Texans, weve had an agriculture commissioner whose seven-year tenure has been full of ethical lapses and embarrassing errors in judgment. Incumbents are bolded and underlined. They or someone they know has tried it and found it to be very helpful, Hays said. Susan Hays defeated Ed Ireson in the Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on March 1, 2022. float: right; I helped draft and pass the law that legalized hemp in Texas, and the ag commissioner regulates the hemp program and it was going through its rulemaking process. The State Office of Rural Health is there and rural economic development. width: 250px; In July, Miller announced he was in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, becoming the highest-ranking Texas Republican to endorse the measure. However, hemp in Texas hasnt lived up to expectations. clearInterval(nTimer); ul.key-messages {list-style-type: none; margin-left:10px; } A few years ago, rural life was calling her home. RELATED: A conversation with incumbent ag commissioner Republican, Sid Miller. Hays, 53, grew up in Brownwood, about two hours west of Waco, and lives in Alpine, where she and her husband purchased land several years ago to grow hemp and hops. Miller also led Hays 51%-40% among almost certain voters in a poll late last month by the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation. Hays has an extensive legal background, including as a cannabis attorney. } font-size: 2em; } .widget-value { A coalition of voting rights groups is also helping voters navigate election concerns through the 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) voter-protection helpline. Well the root of the problem is it doesnt rain, Miller said. font-weight: 200; Counties | Theyve not made a whole lot of money on hemp. New HBO Max series Love & Death anchors a Texas true crime story in the human condition. text-align: left !important; Are you suggesting that marijuana is a reasonable cash crop for growers here in Texas? His support for cannabis legalization ends with compassionate use., When asked about full legalization, Miller adamantly said, Im not for that.. At the top of Millers list is stopping China from buying farmland in the U.S. And Miller does want to expand and fully implement medical cannabis use. The Editorial Board is made up of opinion journalists with wide-ranging expertise whose consensus opinions and endorsements represent the voice of the institution defined as the board members, their editor and the publisher. by SBG San Antonio. confirm with your county elections office, Texas Secretary of State's helpline at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683), who has acknowledged humans have contributed to climate change. The arrest didnt seem to affect the outcome of the primary, which Miller won with more than 58% of the vote. } color: white; SAN ANTONIO - Susan Hays is a Democrat candidate Texas Agriculture Commissioner. Few people know it, but this office has a rural hospital component and a rural economic development component, and they are rotting in the basement. Hays said she would continue to advocate for those priorities in the future. One is a former rodeo cowboy caught in controversy. .results_row td { A variety that does really well in Oregon, wont do well in Texas. And Ill take the hemp program as an example. I have a great working relationship with Senator Charles Perry. Thats the Democrat campaign strategy, just to throw something out there, get people like you to report on it, whether its true or not, and get the headlines, Miller said. display: inline-block; You know, weve reported on this. In the previous session, Gov. Sid Miller, who was elected in 2014, is seeking a third term as agriculture commissioner. She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022. Susan Hays did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey. } Miller has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and was once thought to be under consideration to be the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary under the 45th president. Instead of just throwing out press releases, attacking groups of peoples, or mimicking national red-meat politics. display: block; So it is absolutely the job of the AG Commissioner to look for new economic models for agriculture and promote them. Susan Hays, Democratic candidate for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. font-weight: bold; } } For local elections, you can find results on your countys website. letter-spacing: 0.03em; To help people live better lives. I mean, there are a lot of hemp farmers who feel that theyre sort of high and dry. background-color: #003388; Voting machines and software are certified by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and the Texas Secretary of State. Anecdotally and personally, one of the things that would infuriate me is I would email them a question about the program, and I get thats its a first rodeo and theres a lot of details you dont think of until you get there, and thats happened in every other state as a hemp program has rolled out. }) It also hit the hemp crop. } Susan grew up in rural Texas in the middle of ranching and hunting country. background: #4c4c4c; Its time that we got the bureaucrats and elected officials out of making medical decisions because what were doing now is picking winners and losers, Miller said. Hays argues that if you dont also legalize and regulate, the black market will only continue to grow in the state. I know what Texas has been, and I know what Texas could be if we purge the government of corruption and work together to build rural Texas back up, said Hays, a fifth-generation Texan. So are we, thats why were fighting back against the right-wing lie machine. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Republican primary election Republican primary for background-color: #db0000; Voter data is deleted after every election, according to our voter padding-bottom: 0px; } .results_row { She directly against the corruption surrounding the selling hemp licenses for absurd prices ($25,000 vs. the expected $100). .top_disclaimer { letter-spacing: .04em; And that means focusing on your job and engaging on analyzing how to do that effectively, and then actually doing it. More recently, Miller was the special guest speaker at a screening of the debunked film 2000 Mules, which falsely claims there was significant voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. 2023 Texas Standard. z-index:1; At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. But he does have the support of some high-profile figures on the national stage, including Donald Trump. Early voting ended Nov. 4. .widget-row { Horrors Of Texas Abortion Ban Recounted In The Senate, What The Latest Mifepristone Ruling Means For Texans, Banning Medication Abortion Is Deeply Unpopular, Documentary Sheds Light On Black Maternal Care. font-weight: bold; Then in mid-January, his longtime political consultant, Todd Smith, was indicted on theft and bribery charges related to selling access to hemp licenses from Millers agency.

How To Save A Picture On Laptop Without Mouse, Bernal Middle School Student Killed, Which Sentence Most Clearly Uses A Stereotype, Pcl4 Molecular Geometry, Articles S