Ag. commissioner candidates demand new relevance for post

Dallas Morning News | Sun, Jan 24, 2010 | Permalink |  Jessica Meyers/Reporter

The similarities between Democratic agriculture commissioner candidates Kinky Friedman and Hank Gilbert don’t extend much past their trademark cowboy hats.

But they echoed one common theme at the Lubbock County Democratic Party events this weekend: the post should be made more relevant and far-reaching.

“We need a new model,” Friedman said at the banquet Saturday evening, attended by gubernatorial candidates Bill White and Farouk Shami, among others. “We haven’t had a governor who has been man of the people sinceAnn Richards. We’ve got to run on ideas and excite the grassroots.”

On his list: a Willie Nelson idea to establish farmers’ co-ops at truck stops that also sell alternative fuels, create animal rescue shelters in every county, enhance rural schools and fight toll roads that encroach on farmers’ land. He also threw in the desire for a statewide public defender and end to the death penalty.

“To sum it up, ‘No cow left behind,’” he said, cherished cigar in hand.

Gilbert also spoke about redefining the position. “I want this to be about the issues,” he said. “If you aren’t on your toes people are going to die.”

He was referring to current food safety concerns, specifically salmonella contamination that shut down a Plainview peanut factory last year.

In an interview, he ticked off goals on his fingers. They included more emphasis on bioenergy and renewable fuels, calibrating gas pumps, battling the toll roads and eminent domain, and an overhaul of the agency to ensure enough examiners in the field.

The change motif was prominent in an evening entitled, “Turning Texas Blue.” If there was one rallying cry at the first significant Texas Democratic fundraiser, it was to uproot the Republican stronghold and “get the bums out of Austin.”