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."
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."
Party affiliation: Democratic
Previous elected or appointed offices: N/A
Experience and public service
Tucker also worked as a fair trade organizer at the Trade Justice Education Fund, according to The Texas Tribune. He has been associated with Our Revolution Texas, according to Ballotpedia. He ran for Texas State Senate District 24 in 2020, according to his campaign website.
His 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
Qualifications: Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Tucker said: "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."
Data centers and water: Tucker said he would "fight the massive expansion of data centers destroying people's livelihoods." He said that without "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 "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."
Soil and environment: Tucker said on his campaign website: "Agriculture, and thus the rest of civilization, depends on good soil … We must further research and promote sustainable and restorative practices to protect our soil."
Best advice: Asked about the best advice he ever received, Tucker said: "Neighbors help Neighbors."
Candidate responses were collected through the Surround Sound News candidate questionnaire and the candidate's public campaign materials. The Missouri City-Stafford Journal provided this profile to help voters understand the candidates on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot.
