White a better GOP option for agriculture commissioner
Sid Miller is a former rodeo cowboy who, during two terms as Texas agriculture commissioner, has conducted himself as a rodeo clown.
In a tenure pocked with blunders and obvious ethical lapses, he gave employees more than $400,000 in bonuses in his first nine months in office while decrying agency funding shortages. He imposed a passel of regulatory fees on farmers and businesses. Let's not forget his taxpayerfunded jaunts under the false guise of state business, one to Oklahoma to receive a so-called “Jesus shot” for chronic pain and one to compete in a rodeo show in Mississippi — a trip for which ethics officials fined him $500.
Miller has twice been investigated by the Texas Rangers, in 2016 and 2021 though never charged. More recently, he defended his campaign spokesman and political consultant Todd Smith after an arrest in connection with allegedly soliciting $55,000 in bribes from farmers in exchange for $100 hemp licenses. Not until Smith was indicted on bribery and theft charges last week did Miller, 66, vow to sever ties.
Miller frequently uses his large social media presence to spread conspiracy theories, including about the 2020 election. His zealous partisan politicking isn't just a distraction from his responsibilities, it's a disservice to Texans' needs.
Last year, when Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture worked to provide funds and debt relief for farmers of color to address inequities caused by past and present discrimination, Miller sued the Biden administration to stop the program, hurting producers. An alternative USDA program based on economic struggles rather than racial identity is tied up in stalled legislation, so now struggling farmers of color and some white producers still await help.
Fortunately, Republican voters have credible alternatives to Miller:
We recommend Texas Rep. James White, 57, who's served his rural Southeast Texas district for six terms. White, a retired Army officer and former teacher, was born in Houston, graduated from Prairie View A&M and has a political science doctorate from University of Houston. The beef producer who previously served on the Agriculture and Livestock Committee is endorsed by two dozen GOP lawmakers.
He pointed conservative voters toward his work on border security and in passing constitutional carry. As commissioner, White said lower fees on producers, promote Texas' rural industries and improve the school lunch program.
White's core message is true: Texans deserve better than a man who puts personal gain and cronyism far ahead of farmers and ranchers: “I believe that as a proven conservative, I can turn this agency around, restore ethics, trust and transparency, and help our farmers and ranchers continue to make Texas prosperous, independent and free,” White told us.
We also came away impressed by Carey A. Counsil, 55, a personable, fifth-generation rancher and Blinn College economics professor. He's knowledgeable about agriculture policy but it's a big leap from professor to head an agency touching the fortunes of roughly 250,000 farms and ranches in Texas.
White's competence, government service, and emphasis on character make him the best choice for Republicans.