Clayton Tucker, a Democrat, 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 …"
He added: "I want 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: "Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at Southwestern University … 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 …"
Tucker has been associated with Our Revolution Texas, according to Ballotpedia. He has received endorsements from U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Jamie Raskin and Greg Casar, as well as the AFL-CIO and the Texas AFT, according to the Texas Tribune and BallotReady.
On the issues
Data centers: Tucker said in our questionnaire: "I will fight the massive expansion of data centers destroying people's livelihoods. 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' before any more data centers come for their land, their water, and their tax dollars …"
Food prices 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."
Water and soil: Tucker said on his campaign website: "I want an Agriculture Commissioner who fights to keep Texas water for Texans, not for Wall Street profits." On soil, he said: "We must further research and promote sustainable and restorative practices to protect our soil."
PFAS: Tucker said on his campaign website: "Ranchers and farmers across Texas and other parts of the U.S. Have had their land contaminated with PFAS. This continuation has killed both livestock and livelihoods. We have to protect our farmers, ranchers, and ourselves from these toxic forever chemicals."
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 …"
The race is statewide. League City voters will see it on their Nov. 3 ballot.
Candidate questionnaire responses were collected by Surround Sound News and are presented in the candidate's own words. Additional policy positions are sourced from the candidate's campaign website via BallotReady.
