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. The statewide race appears on ballots in Fort Bend, Harris and Waller counties.

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."

Tucker said he wants 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: "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: "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."

Family in government: "My mother worked at the Texas Railroad Commission while I was growing up."

Tucker has been associated with Our Revolution Texas, according to Ballotpedia. He also ran for Texas State Senate District 24 in 2020, according to his campaign.

Endorsements include U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Jamie Raskin and Greg Casar, along with the AFL-CIO and Texas AFT, according to the Texas Tribune and BallotReady.

On the issues

Data centers and infrastructure: Tucker said in our questionnaire that when data centers lack "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 communities develop "Ag Impact Studies" to "give local residents a chance to put the brakes on uncontrolled, irresponsible data center development."

Food prices: Tucker said on his campaign website that the state 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: "Agriculture, and thus the rest of civilization, depends on good soil. Soil erosion and degradation are a significant concern for securing our food supply. We must further research and promote sustainable and restorative practices to protect our soil."

Qualifications: Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Tucker said in our questionnaire: "I grew up working on my family ranch, researched water and agriculture policy, and serve as the Texas Farmers Union Secretary. I know agriculture from the pasture to public policy."

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."

Candidate responses were collected through the Surround Sound News candidate questionnaire and publicly available campaign materials. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words and have not been independently verified unless otherwise noted.