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 added that 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

Party: Democratic

Education: Tucker said in our questionnaire: "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 and background: Tucker said in our questionnaire: "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. I returned to Lampasas after working abroad and continue to manage the family ranch …"

Experience and public service

Tucker said in our questionnaire: "I'm a family rancher in Lampasas and a trade analyst for a nonprofit. … 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."

The race is statewide. Tucker ran for Texas State Senate District 24 in 2020, according to his campaign website. He has been associated with Our Revolution Texas, according to Ballotpedia. The Texas Tribune reported he worked as a fair trade organizer at the Trade Justice Education Fund.

Tucker has endorsements from U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Jamie Raskin and Greg Casar, along with the AFL-CIO and the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, according to the Texas Tribune and BallotReady.

On the issues

Food affordability and corporate consolidation: Tucker said on his campaign website: "We can have cheaper, healthier, and more local foods that pay farmers their fair share while also ensuring food remains affordable -- but only if we limit the ability of the greedy few corporate middlemen from monopolizing our food system."

Data centers: Tucker said in our questionnaire: "When we don't put enforceable guardrails around their design, placement, and purpose, they bring higher water and power bills, run our water wells dry, and blast our homes and livestock with high-decibel noise." He said he would help local communities develop "Ag Impact Studies" to "give local residents a chance to put the brakes on uncontrolled, irresponsible data center development."

Water and soil: Tucker said on his campaign website that he wants to "keep Texas water for Texans, not for Wall Street profits." On soil, he said: "Agriculture, and thus the rest of civilization, depends on good soil. … We must further research and promote sustainable and restorative practices to protect our soil."

Healthcare: Tucker said on his campaign website: "All Texans deserve affordable, timely healthcare. With looming healthcare cuts, we need a government that fights to increase access to affordable, timely healthcare for all Texans …"

Qualifications: Asked what accomplishments qualify him for the job, 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 …"

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