Former Lawmaker Considers Bid for State Agriculture Commissioner
Posted/updated on: July 28, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Longview — Former Longview state Representative Tommy Merritt said little Thursday about published reports he wants to be the Texas agriculture commissioner, except that they are true. Merritt told the Longview News-Journal, “The answer is just, I’m definitely interested,” Merritt said. “I’m definitely interested in seeking the office of agriculture commissioner.”
That job has been held since 2007 by Republican Todd Staples of Palestine, who is one of two statewide elected officials challenging Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the GOP primary. The other is Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.
Filing for the 2014 election cycle is from Nov. 9 to Dec. 9. The party primaries will be March 4 with the general election the following November.
Merritt represented District 7 in the Texas House of Representatives for seven terms before falling to Republican Rep. David Simpson in both 2010 and 2012.
The oil and gas support business owner spent much of his tenure in Austin arguing for rural interests. That could recommend him for the ag commissioner role.
