By Sam Mattison
Alabama Political Reporter
An Alabama mayor announced today his intention to run for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.
Rick Pate is the Mayor of Lowndesboro and president of his own landscaping business. Pate also serves as the vice chairman of The Lowndes County Republican Party and is on the ALGOP Steering Committee. He is running for the Commissioner of Agriculturue and Industries as a Republican.
Pate said in a statement that he is running to help agricultural business in Alabama “flourish.”
“I’m a lifelong Republican and I want to use conservative values to protect the largest sector of Alabama’s economy from undo regulations, taxes and fees put on them by career politicians in Montgomery and Washington, DC,” Pate said.
Pate said he is concerned with the future of the planet as well as subsequent generations.
“It is estimated that by 2050 we will have to double food production to meet the needs of the world – it will take visionary leaders who understand that we have to work smarter, not just harder, to achieve these goals,” Pate said
Pate has already won the support of the Associated General Contractors and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Political Action Committee.
Pate is an Auburn University graduate from the School of Agriculture.
Alabama’s current commissioner of agriculture is John McMillian who was elected in 2010. He will not be eligible to run in 2018 due to the consecutive term limit rule. Alabama’s constitution does not allow two consecutive 4-year terms in a row for the position. McMillian is considering running for governor in 2018
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries encompasses 18 divisions, including animal healthy, farmers market authority and food safety.
