Nate Sheets defeated three-term incumbent Sid Miller in the Republican primary for Texas agriculture commissioner, according to the Associated Press, which called the race early Wednesday morning. The result marks a significant shift in leadership within the Texas Department of Agriculture and sets the stage for a new Republican nominee heading into the general election.
Sheets, a first-time political candidate and business owner from Plano, celebrated the outcome Tuesday night at an election watch party. Gov. Greg Abbott phoned Sheets during the event to offer congratulations and indicated he looked forward to working together if Sheets prevails in November.
In a social media post, Sheets expressed appreciation for the support he received from grassroots conservatives across Texas and signaled that he was preparing for the general election campaign. Although some votes remained to be counted at the time of his post, Sheets characterized the trajectory of the race as decisive and said voters were seeking new leadership.
Sheets is the founder and former chief executive of a national raw honey company and also owns a ranch. He previously served six years in the U.S. Naval Reserve and later graduated from Texas State University. Before entering the race for agriculture commissioner, he worked as communications director for an evangelist ministry that establishes Christian congregations internationally. He has aligned himself with the Make America Healthy Again movement associated with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr..
Several high-profile Texas Republicans endorsed Sheets during the primary campaign. In addition to Abbott, Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham backed his candidacy. Supporters of Sheets frequently criticized Miller’s tenure, arguing that the department needed new direction after a series of controversies.
Miller, first elected in 2014, had previously withstood challenges and secured reelection with the support of prominent Republican figures, including Donald Trump, who endorsed him in 2018 and 2022. In this year’s primary, Trump issued his endorsement for Miller shortly before Election Day.
During his three terms, Miller faced multiple ethical and legal controversies. In his first term, he was investigated by the Texas Rangers and fined by the Texas Ethics Commission after allegations that he used public funds for personal travel, including a trip to receive a medical treatment. Miller repaid the money and was not criminally charged.
In his second term, Miller’s longtime political consultant, Todd Smith, was indicted on charges related to commercial bribery and theft involving hemp licenses regulated by the Department of Agriculture. After Smith pleaded guilty to commercial bribery, Miller later appointed him as chief of staff at the agency. Smith currently serves as one of the department’s highest-paid employees.
Additional scrutiny emerged last year when a former associate of Miller told law enforcement that the agriculture commissioner had asked him to dispose of marijuana products amid concerns about a potential federal investigation.
Sheets will face Democratic nominee Clayton Tucker in the November general election. While Democrats have fielded candidates in statewide races, no Democrat has won statewide office in Texas in roughly three decades. The outcome of the fall contest will determine who leads the 755-person Department of Agriculture as it oversees key sectors including farming, ranching, food regulation, and rural economic development.
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