Commissioner of Agriculture: who gets your vote?
What this role does
The agriculture commissioner leads the Texas Department of Agriculture, which promotes agriculture, supports rural economic development, and carries out agricultural and consumer-protection regulation.
The agency’s work affects agricultural businesses, rural communities, and consumers.
- Agricultural promotion
- Rural development
- Consumer protection
Read about them. Then tap a button to pick one. You can change it later.
Data last updated: Oct 31, 2026 (state and local ballot sources). Verify approaching elections with your state election office.
Our reading of the duties, not an official requirement. Doesn't rank or recommend anyone.
Office role sources
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CLAYTON TUCKER
Running for Commissioner of Agriculture · Texas
LocalDemocratic Party / Partido Demócrata
NATE SHEETS
Running for Commissioner of Agriculture · Texas
LocalRepublican Party / Partido Republicano
Job fit
CLAYTON TUCKER
- Tucker’s campaign biography says he worked as a National Science Foundation water/agriculture researcher, comparing U.S. policies with those of other countries. 1
- His campaign biography says he returned to Lampasas to work on his family’s RX Ranch and started the small business Grassroots Nation. 1
- His undated campaign biography lists him as a founding board member of Killeen Creators, a community garden group, and secretary of the Texas Farmers Union. 1
Top issues
Picked for this office
CLAYTON TUCKER
NATE SHEETS
- His campaign promises Texas-first trade policies, cleaner food, better farmer profit margins, secure borders, verified agricultural labor, and rural jobs through processing, bottling and value-added agriculture. 2
Record in office
We haven't found a record in office for either candidate yet.
Who pays them
CLAYTON TUCKER
What the source says
Houston Public Media reported on October 20, 2026, that Don Henley contributed $50,000 to Tucker’s campaign.
What the source says
Houston Public Media reported on October 20, 2026, that Tucker received $10,000 from the James Talarico campaign.
NATE SHEETS
What the source says
The Tribune’s January 27, 2026 profile listed donors Mattress Mack ($10,000), Sen. Kevin Sparks and family ($13,000), and the Saulsbury family ($25,000).
What the source says
The Tribune’s January 27, 2026 profile listed donors Mattress Mack ($10,000), Sen. Kevin Sparks and family ($13,000), and the Saulsbury family ($25,000).
What the source says
The Tribune’s January 27, 2026 profile listed donors Mattress Mack ($10,000), Sen. Kevin Sparks and family ($13,000), and the Saulsbury family ($25,000).
The Texas Tribune’s January 27, 2026 profile reported $373,235 in campaign cash on hand for Sheets. 5
Texas Standard reported on October 19, 2026 that Sheets had loaned his campaign over $250,000 of his own funds. 6
Checks
No checks have run for either candidate yet.
Based on current data. May change in a future update.
Sources
- Meet Clayton - Clayton Tucker for Ag Commission · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Nate Sheets for AG Commissioner · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience, Top issues
- Stop Surveillance Pricing - Clayton Tucker for TX Agriculture Commissioner · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Top issues
- Candidates for Texas agriculture commissioner spar over ... · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Top issues, Money
- Texas agriculture commissioner primary · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Money
- Texas ag commissioner candidates trade eligibility barbs · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Money
Show 1 more running
0/2 selected
View comparison ↑Pick any two candidates below. Your second selection updates the comparison automatically. “Shown above” marks the current cards, not a selection. Comparison selections do not change your pick.
CLAYTON TUCKER
Democratic Party / Partido DemócrataShown aboveTucker’s campaign biography says he worked as a National Science Foundation water/agriculture researcher, comparing U.S. policies with those of other countries. 1
His campaign biography says he returned to Lampasas to work on his family’s RX Ranch and started the small business Grassroots Nation. 2
His undated campaign biography lists him as a founding board member of Killeen Creators, a community garden group, and secretary of the Texas Farmers Union. 3
Houston Public Media reported on October 20, 2026, that Don Henley contributed $50,000 to Tucker’s campaign. 4
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
Tucker’s campaign calls for the agriculture commissioner to use all available powers to stop surveillance pricing. 5
Sources
1 Background: claytontuckertx.com · checked Oct 31
2 Background: claytontuckertx.com · checked Oct 31
3 Background: claytontuckertx.com · checked Oct 31
4 Money: houstonpublicmedia.org · checked Oct 31
5 Positions: claytontuckertx.com · saved source
NATE SHEETS
Republican Party / Partido RepublicanoShown aboveSheets’s campaign biography says he served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1988 to 1994. 1
His campaign says he sold Nature Nate’s to Blue Road Capital in 2021 and continued as CEO until resigning to pursue the Texas agriculture commissioner office. 2
The Texas Tribune’s January 27, 2026 profile reported $373,235 in campaign cash on hand for Sheets. 3
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
His campaign promises Texas-first trade policies, cleaner food, better farmer profit margins, secure borders, verified agricultural labor, and rural jobs… 4
Sources
1 Background: natesheets.com · checked Oct 31
2 Background: natesheets.com · checked Oct 31
3 Money: texastribune.org · checked Oct 31
4 Positions: natesheets.com · saved source
AUSTIN R. KELLY
Libertarian Party / Partido LibertarioA February 4, 2026 report identifies Kelly as ARK Ecological Consulting’s founder and says he helps Texas landowners with land management strategies and ecological assessments. 1
The February 4, 2026 report says Kelly worked as a Texas A&M teaching assistant specializing in botany and land management, later lectured there, and was pursuing a PhD in Rangeland Management. 2
The retained election article reports that Kelly secured the Libertarian nomination for Texas agriculture commissioner unopposed at the April 12, 2026 convention. 3
We haven’t finished researching campaign money.
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
Kelly’s reported campaign priorities include opposing overregulation, defending private property rights, and protecting the “Right to Farm.” 4
Sources
1 Background: breckenridgetexan.com · checked Oct 31
2 Background: breckenridgetexan.com · checked Oct 31
3 Background: en.wikipedia.org · checked Oct 31
4 Positions: breckenridgetexan.com · saved source