Sid Miller
2015 - Present
2027
10
Sid Miller (Republican Party) is the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. He assumed office on January 1, 2015. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.
Miller (Republican Party) ran for re-election for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Miller completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Miller is a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 59 from 2001 to 2013.
He served on the Stephenville Independent School District board of trustees from 1999 to 2000.[1]
Biography
Miller earned an associate degree from Cisco Junior College and a bachelor's degree in vocational agriculture education from Tarleton State University. His professional experience includes teaching, farming and ranching, and owning a commercial nursery business.[1] [2][3]
Elections
2022
See also: Texas Agriculture Commissioner election, 2022
General election
General election for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent Sid Miller defeated Susan Hays in the general election for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sid Miller (R)  | 56.3 | 4,480,186 |
 | Susan Hays (D) | 43.7 | 3,473,603 | |
| Total votes: 7,953,789 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Susan Hays defeated Ed Ireson in the Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Susan Hays | 82.8 | 814,283 |
 | Ed Ireson | 17.2 | 169,503 | |
| Total votes: 983,786 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent Sid Miller defeated James White and Carey Counsil in the Republican primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sid Miller | 58.5 | 992,330 |
 | James White | 31.1 | 528,434 | |
 | Carey Counsil | 10.4 | 176,083 | |
| Total votes: 1,696,847 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent Sid Miller defeated Kim Olson and Richard Carpenter in the general election for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sid Miller (R) | 51.3 | 4,221,527 |
 | Kim Olson (D) | 46.4 | 3,822,137 | |
| Richard Carpenter (L) | 2.3 | 191,639 | ||
| Total votes: 8,235,303 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Kim Olson advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Kim Olson |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture
Incumbent Sid Miller defeated Jim Hogan and Trey Blocker in the Republican primary for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sid Miller | 55.7 | 755,498 |
 | Jim Hogan | 22.9 | 310,431 | |
 | Trey Blocker | 21.5 | 291,583 | |
| Total votes: 1,357,512 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2014
Miller ran for election to the office of Texas Agriculture Commissioner. Miller came in first for the Republican nomination in the primary on March 4 and defeated Tommy Merritt in the runoff on May 27. Miller was endorsed by Empower Texans.[4] The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Musician Ted Nugent served as co-chairman and treasurer of Miller's campaign.[5]
Results
Primary election
| Texas Agriculture Commissioner Republican Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
 Sid Miller |
34.6% | 411,560 | ||
| Tommy Merritt |
20.9% | 249,440 | ||
| Eric Opiela | 17.4% | 207,222 | ||
| Joe Cotten | 14.6% | 174,348 | ||
| J. Allen Carnes | 12.4% | 148,222 | ||
| Total Votes | 1,190,792 | |||
| Election results via Texas Secretary of State. | ||||
Primary runoff
| Texas Agriculture Commissioner Republican Primary Runoff, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Sid Miller |
53.2% | 364,756 | ||
| Tommy Merritt | 46.8% | 320,835 | ||
| Total Votes | 685,591 | |||
| Election results via Texas Secretary of State. Vote totals above are unofficial and reflect 98 precincts reporting. | ||||
General election
| Texas Agriculture Commissioner, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Sid Miller |
58.6% | 2,698,694 | |
| Democrat | Jim Hogan | 36.8% | 1,697,083 | |
| Libertarian | Rocky Palmquist | 2.9% | 132,511 | |
| Green | Kenneth Kendrick | 1.7% | 77,548 | |
| Total Votes | 4,605,836 | |||
| Election results via Texas Secretary of State | ||||
Endorsements
- Texas Right to Life PAC[6]
2012
Miller ran in the 2012 election for Texas House of Representatives, District 59. The primary election took place on May 29, 2012, and the primary runoff was on July 31. Miller was defeated by J.D. Sheffield in the primary runoff.[7][8][9]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Sid Miller (advanced to runoff) Incumbent |
42.5% | 7,778 |
| J.D. Sheffield (advanced to runoff) |
41.5% | 7,599 |
| Mike Jones | 16% | 2,932 |
| Total Votes | 18,309 | |
2010
Miller won re-election in District 59 in 2010. He defeated J.D. Sheffield in the March 2 Republican primary and defeated independent Will Bratton in the November 2 general election.[10]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 59 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Sid Miller (R)
|
19,985 | 74.87% | ||
| Will Bratton (I) | 6,707 | 25.12% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Miller won re-election to the Texas House of Representatives from Texas' 59th District, defeating Ernie Casbeer (D) and Coy Reynolds (L). Miller received 28,482 votes while Casbeer received 16,546 votes, and Reynolds received 1,178 votes.[11] Miller raised $319,691 for his campaign; Casbeer raised $64,428.[12]
| Texas House of Representatives, District 59 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Sid Miller (R)
|
28,482 | 61.64% | ||
| Ernie Casbeer (D) | 16,546 | 35.80% | ||
| Coy Reynolds (L) | 1,178 | 2.54% | ||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sid Miller completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Miller's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I have served as Texas Commissioner of Agriculture since 2015. I have worked as a farmer, rancher, agricultural product retailer or wholesaler my entire career. As I have said before there is very little within agriculture that I have not raised or grown. During my six terms in the Texas House of Representatives, I served on the House Agriculture Committee, including a term as Chairman of that committee.
My work over the last two years included keeping businesses open during the pandemic that were essential to the operation and production of agriculture and to our food supply. As Agriculture Commissioner, I have made it my mission to make efforts to open new market throughout the world to Texas agricultural products. Part of my mission in this office is to expand this industry to help create new businesses, new jobs and career in agriculture. As the elected leader responsible for the school breakfast and lunch programs in our public schools, we serve over 5 million meals each school day.
My initiative to bring fresh local farm products into our school meals has allowed local agriculture to have a direct impact on the lives of local school children with fresh, healthy local produce.
- Ban foreign government ownership or control of our farm land.
- The Right to Farm Act - limit the ability of state or local government to determine or define what is farming and what is agriculture.
- Food Security/Protection of our Border: providing famers and ranchers along the Texas Mexico border the assistance and tools they need to protect their livelihoods and to ensure protection of our nation's food supply.
As a Conservative officeholder, I subscribe to the general philosophy that the government that governs least governs best. I am passionate about making a difference, "helping the little guy" and serving the needs of my fellow Texans when government overreach becomes a problem in their lives. I believe it is important to speak up and speak out even when it might not be "politically correct" or might not make a fellow officeholder happy when I believe I am righting a wrong or pointing out government policy that is failing. This outlook and approach to public service has guided me for now almost two decades of elected leadership and will continue to drive my actions in a third term as Texas Agriculture Commissioner.
Oversees many pesticides and chemicals that are essential to our food supply. performs organic certifications. . Performs consumer protection inspections, in charge of scales and weight measurement calibration standards for Texas. oversees the Food & Nutrition programs for the Texas public school system. Responsible for most aspects, procedures and duties in the Texas Agricultural Code.
Several people, my local pastor, several friends and family, President Trump, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, the late President Ronald Reagan.
The Bible, (King James version), and "Reagan: In his own Hand" and "Trump; The Art of the Deal."
Conservative Values, Respect for Taxpayers, appreciation for all disciplines and aspects of our agricultural economy.
I'm a Conservative's conservative, I'm a no-nonsense public servant who prides himself on getting things done. When I make mistakes I'm quick to acknowledge them and make any correction or adjustment required.
Fiscal discipline, background in running an agricultural business or operation, Conservative political philosophy, knowledge of commodity markets in agriculture, small business abilities, patience - because you can't control the weather!
I have said that I want to be the best Texas Agriculture Commissioner in the history of Texas and that I want to the person who succeeds me even better. By striving for that high standard and encouraging the next person to do the same in this office, it will be good for Texas, good for agriculture and good for our nation. The average age of a Texas Farmers and rancher is now 59 1/2, we must prepared the next generation and attract our best and brightest to agriculture for the future of our state and our nation.
President Kennedy's assassination. I was eight years old.
I was 12 years old and I was paid to load water melons.
My favorite book is the Bible. Everything one needs to live a successful and productive life can be found there: charity, wisdom, compassion, grace, frugality, consideration for others to name just a few. If it was the only book a human being read n their lifetime they could live a successful life if they use if as a guide for their life.
I don't worry about fictional characters. I'm a 'non-fiction' kind of guy! I concern myself with things that I can impact or that will happen - and not things that will never be.
Burning Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash
I do not consider it a struggle, but I was raised by a single parent and I have had to earn everything in my life, I worked my way through college and began work when I was 12 years old. This has taught me self-reliance and is something I have tried to pass down to my children and grandchildren.
The feeding and nourishment of over 2 million Texas School children every school day.
I am responsible and have jurisdiction over the Texas Agricultural Code which give me broad authority and broad responsibility over our Texas agricultural economy. I also have duties involved rural hospitals and clinics and rural healthcare. This was a crucial moment in my public service during the pandemic when these facilities had critical shortages of supplies and medicines.
No not always. Sometimes a business point of view is best when a government post or agency needs a fresh point of view. In my case having served as both a school board member and a state legislator (having served on the Ag Committee) gave me insight and information that were helpful in my service as Agriculture Commissioner.
Fiscal discipline, background in running an agricultural business or operation, Conservative political philosophy, knowledge of commodity markets in agriculture, small business abilities, patience - because you can't control the weather!
Ask me sometime when I see you in person and I'll tell you!
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Miller's campaign website stated the following:[13]
| “ |
Conservative Warrior Guns The right to self-defense, as enshrined in the Second Amendment, is a fundamental human right. Sid Miller has spent his career fighting for our rights. As a State Representative and as a statewide elected leader, he has advocated for Constitutional Carry, maximum freedom, and minimum government interference in our enjoyment of this right. Defending Life Nothing is more essential, more fundamental, more universal than the right to life. Sid believes that the most important function of government is to defend the life, liberty, and property of its citizens. Abortion is murder and any government that permits, none less legally enshrines murder in its laws has no legitimacy. Taxes Ronald Reagan said, “If you want more of something, subsidize it. If you want less of something, tax it.” Today Texas taxes home ownership under threat of forfeiture. You do not own your property, the state of Texas does. This has profound negative effects on farmers and ranchers, as well as suburban families and small business owners. This tax system is fundamentally flawed and unfair and must be repealed. Texas is not a high tax state, which is good. Texas is not a smart tax state either and that’s bad. We must reform property taxes in Texas! Faith Religious faith is the cornerstone of our culture and our humanity. Sid Miller protested church closings during the pandemic and strongly supports the Texas Constitutional Amendment to protect houses of worship from politicians in the future.[14] |
” |
2012
Miller's website highlighted the following campaign themes in 2012:[15]
Cutting Unemployment and Boosting the Economy
- Excerpt: "A local business owner, Sid Miller understands low taxes and small government keep our economy strong"
Putting a Stop to Illegal Immigration and Tightening Our Border Security
- Excerpt: "As chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety, Sid Miller fights to keep us secure."
Keeping Education a Top Priority
- Excerpt: "Sid Miller is a former schoolteacher who knows quality education starts in the classroom"
Cutting Government Spending
- Excerpt: "Putting his money where is mouth is, when Sid Miller voted to cut state spending, he didn’t raise taxes and he cut his own state office budget."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Political career
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture (2015-present)
Miller first won election to the commissioner's office on November 4, 2014. He was sworn into office on January 7, 2015.[16]
Texas House of Representatives (2001-2013)
Miller represented District 59 in the Texas House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013.[16]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
Miller served on the following Texas House of Representatives committees:
- Business & Industry Committee
- House Administration Committee
- Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee Chair
- State Sovereignty, Select Committee
Stances on the issues
Agriculture commissioners are responsible for overseeing and regulating practices and policies that affect farmers, consumers of agricultural products, and the broader agricultural industry in their states. Their powers can vary, but they typically have the authority to enforce state laws and regulations pertaining to agriculture and investigate practices related to the agricultural sector that may violate state laws or regulations.[17][18]
This section outlines Miller's stances on policy issues as they relate to agriculture.
Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)
| Environmental, social, and corporate governance |
|---|
|
| • What is ESG? • Enacted ESG legislation • Arguments for and against ESG • Opposition to ESG • Federal ESG rules • Economy and Society: Ballotpedia's weekly ESG newsletter |
Miller has argued against ESG, which refers to an investment or corporate governance approach that involves considering the extent to which corporations conform to certain standards related to environmental, social, and corporate governance issues (such as net carbon emission or corporate board diversity goals) and making business and investment decisions that promote those standards. Agricultural commissioners have the authority to use their investigative and enforcement powers to scrutinize the effects of financial practices on the agricultural sector, write letters to financial institutions requesting information on their policies and practices, and issue regulations related to fertilizer usage, agricultural fuel usage, and rural electrification.[17][18]
Letter opposing ESG practices at financial institutions
Miller joined eleven agricultural commissioners from other states on January 29, 2024, in writing a public letter to the CEOs of six large banks, including J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, opposing their ESG commitments.[17][18]
The letter argued that the financial institutions’ commitments to implementing Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) policies could restrict credit access for farmers and coerce agricultural producers into changing their farming practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The officials said such changes would increase costs in the agricultural sector, reduce the availability of food, drive up consumer prices, and eliminate jobs in the industry.[17][18]
The letter requested additional information related to the banks’ ESG commitments, including details on how the banks intended to promote NZBA’s carbon emissions targets for the agricultural sector.[17][18]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
As of 2022, Miller and his wife, Debra, had two sons and five grandchildren.[19]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Texas Commissioner of Agriculture |
Officeholder Texas Commissioner of Agriculture |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Empire-Tribune, "Miller, Thompson to run for offices," October 17, 2013
- ↑ The Dallas Morning News, "Voter Guide: Sid Miller," accessed February 2, 2022
- ↑ Texas Department of Agriculture, "Sid Miller Takes Oath of Office as Texas Commissioner of Agriculture," January 7, 2015
- ↑ Empower Texans, "2014 Endorsements," November 19, 2013
- ↑ Huffington Post, "Ted Nugent To Serve As Co-Chairman, Treasurer Of Sid Miller's Campaign In Texas," October 23, 2013
- ↑ Texas Right to Life, "Texas Right to Life begins 2014 endorsement process," November 4, 2013
- ↑ Texas GOP list of candidates for 2012 Elections
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 17, 2014
- ↑ Office of the (Texas) Secretary of State, "Race Summary Report," accessed July 12, 2012
- ↑ Official Texas Election Results
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 24, 2014
- ↑ District 59 Texas House candidate funds, 2008
- ↑ Sid Miller 2022 campaign website, "Issues," archived February 9, 2022
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ sidmillerfortexas.com - Issues
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedoath - ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Fox Business, “Dozen state GOP agriculture commissioners launch probe of US banks over ESG investing: 'It must be stopped,'” accessed February 13, 2024
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Georgia Department of Agriculture, “Impact of Net-Zero Banking Alliance on Agriculture & Food Security,” January 29, 2024
- ↑ Texas Department of Agriculture, "Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller," accessed March 21, 2022
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| Preceded by - |
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture 2015-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Texas House of Representatives District 59 2001-2013 |
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