Clayton Tucker, a Democrat from Lampasas, 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

Party: Democratic

Education: Tucker said in our questionnaire: "Southwestern University. Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at Southwestern University to study International Politics with a minor in Mandarin, then to the National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan to study Mandarin."

Family and background: Tucker said in our questionnaire: "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.

Experience and public service

Tucker said in our questionnaire: "I'm a family rancher in Lampasas and a trade analyst for a nonprofit. … 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."

He added: "I serve as Secretary of the Texas Farmers Union and am a founding board member of Killeen Creators, a community garden organization."

Tucker ran for Texas State Senate District 24 in 2020, according to his campaign website. He has also worked as a fair trade organizer at the Trade Justice Education Fund, according to The Texas Tribune.

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. The Ag Impact Study will give local residents a chance to put the brakes on uncontrolled, irresponsible data center development."

Food prices: Tucker said in our questionnaire that he wants to use the agriculture department's purchasing power to "bring more Texas-grown food into school meals, support local producers, and help end childhood hunger." On his BallotReady profile, he said: "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 BallotReady profile: "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 BallotReady profile: "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."

Healthcare: Tucker said on his BallotReady profile: "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. Endorsements: Tucker has received endorsements from U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Jamie Raskin and Greg Casar, as well as the AFL-CIO and Texas AFT (American Federation of Teachers), according to The Texas Tribune and BallotReady.

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire and the candidate's BallotReady profile. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.