Agriculture Commissioner’s Race Heats Up

LUBBOCK — The race for Texas agriculture commissioner between two East Texans is getting nasty. Democrat Hank Gilbert of Whitehouse says incumbent Republican Todd Staples of Palestine is at fault for the death of a Lubbock toddler. Vantashia Samuels died from inhaling fumes. Her family purchased pesticides supplied by an employee who wasn’t licensed to do so. Gilbert blames Staples for lax regulations and inspection, saying, “He knew this agency was understaffed when it came to regulatory inspectors. He did nothing.” In a statement, Staples said Gilbert has stooped to an all-time low with what he calls the latest false, libelous and slanderous accusation.