Clayton Tucker, a Democrat from Lampasas, is running for Texas Agriculture Commissioner in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Republican Nate Sheets and Libertarian Austin R. Kelly.

Asked why he is running, Tucker said in our candidate questionnaire: "I'm running for Agriculture Commissioner to make food and farming affordable again and protect the water Texans depend on. Corporate monopolies squeeze family farmers while charging families more at the grocery store. Irresponsible AI data centers threaten our farmland and put more pressure on our water and electric bills."

Tucker said he wants to "use the Department's purchasing power to bring more Texas-grown food into school meals, support local producers, and help end childhood hunger."

Candidate information

Occupation and work history: "I'm a family rancher in Lampasas and a trade analyst for a nonprofit. I grew up working on our family's RX Ranch and continue to manage it today. My work has included water and agriculture policy research for the National Science Foundation, an internship at the Texas State Capitol, and work for an environmental compliance firm in Shanghai. I also taught kindergarten in Taipei, Taiwan. After returning to Texas, I started a small business, Grassroots Nation, and worked on political campaigns and organizing efforts. I serve as Secretary of the Texas Farmers Union and am a founding board member of Killeen Creators, a community garden organization."

Education: "Southwestern University. Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at Southwestern University to study International Politics with a minor in Mandarin, then to the National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan to study Mandarin."

Family: "My family has a ranch in Lampasas, the RX Ranch, where my grandfather put me to work as soon as I could wear my own boots. I spent weekends and summers there baling hay, mending fences, and caring for livestock while attending school in Georgetown during the week."

Family in government: "My mother worked at the Texas Railroad Commission while I was growing up."

Previous elected or appointed offices: Tucker answered "N/A" in our questionnaire. He ran for Texas State Senate District 24 in 2020, according to Ballotpedia. He has also been associated with Our Revolution Texas.

On the issues

Critical differences from opponents: Tucker said in our questionnaire: "I'm a hands-on Texas rancher. Since childhood, I've baled hay, mended fences, and raised livestock." He added: "My opponent made his fortune as a re-bottler of imported honey. He sells his organic honey as 'USDA' certified, but it's 100% imported."

Tucker also alleged his opponent "took $300,000 from a data center developer."

Data centers: Tucker said in our questionnaire that data centers "bring higher water and power bills, run our water wells dry, and blast our homes and livestock with high-decibel noise" when built without enforceable guardrails. He said he would help communities develop "Ag Impact Studies" to give residents "a chance to put the brakes on uncontrolled, irresponsible data center development."

Food affordability: Tucker said in our questionnaire that he wants to "use the Department's purchasing power to bring more Texas-grown food into school meals." He also said on his campaign website that food can remain affordable "only if we limit the ability of the greedy few corporate middlemen from monopolizing our food system."

Water: Tucker said in our questionnaire he wants to "protect the water Texans depend on." His campaign website adds that he wants to "keep Texas water for Texans, not for Wall Street profits."

Qualifications: Asked what accomplishments prepare him, Tucker said in our questionnaire: "I grew up working on my family ranch, researched water and agriculture policy, and serve as the Texas Farmers Union Secretary. I know agriculture from the pasture to public policy."

Endorsements

Tucker has received endorsements from U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Jamie Raskin and Greg Casar, according to the Texas Tribune. The AFL-CIO and Texas AFT have also endorsed him, according to BallotReady.

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire and publicly available campaign materials. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.