Party Primary Runoff Preview: Ag and Industries Commissioner

Alabama's party primary runoff elections are this coming Tuesday. This is part 3 of the preview of Tuesday's runoff elections.

Today's Preview: Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries

The state ags and industries commissioner is responsible for regulating the state's agricultural industry, ensuring consumer protection, and promoting agribusiness.

According to the commission's website, "The mission of the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries is to provide timely, fair and expert regulatory control over product, business entities, movement, and application of goods and services for which applicable state and federal law exists and strive to protect and provide service to Alabama consumers. Department personnel will actively work to initiate and support economic development activities and promote domestic and international consumption of Alabama products."

Despite the growth of industry in Alabama in recent years, agriculture continues to be a significant part of the state's economy. 40,000 farming operations covering 8.6 million acres, provides 273,000 jobs (10% of the state's workforce.) Agriculture generates $77.3 billion annually to the state economy.

Current commissioner Rick Pate could not run again because of term limits. He ran for Lt. Governor but did not make the runoff.

The Republican Runoff

Corey Hill, a cattle and poultry farmer and grocery store operator who is also the mayor of the Town of Douglas in Marshall County, was the top voter getter in the May 19th Primary Election. He grabbed 154,785 votes or 35.4% of the votes cast.

Christina Woerner McInnis is the founder of AgriTech Corp and introduced SoilKit, a soil testing solution aimed at simplifying soil health analysis. McInnis was a very close second in the primary balloting with 152,433 votes, 34.5% of the vote.

Jack Williams failed to make the runoff after receiving 130,518 (29.8%).

McInnis carried 12 counties in the state in the May 19th primary but was a close second in the rest of the counties.

Each candidate eastablished priorities in their run for the commissioners job.

Hill lists:

• Addressing food safety,
• Expanding the Sweet Grown Alabama program,
• Bringing back a rural crime division in the department.

McInnis priority list includes:

•  Strengthening Alabama agriculture,
• Advancing innovation,
• Expanding market opportunities.

Unlike other races, the Trump impact has been minimal in this race. Hill's advertising has emphasized his experience as a farmer in his ads. McInnis has also emphasized in her ads the fact that she is a lifelong farmer and farm oriented businessperson.

Fund raising in the race is fairly even. Hill raised $335,035 and had $95,415 in cash on-hand at the beginning of the runoff. McInnis raised $359,962 and had $105,721 in cash to start the runoff campaign.

The Alabama Poll's latest data shows the runoff is just as close as the primary. Corey Hill leads Christina Woerner McInnis 33.1% to 27.3%, but nearly 40% of likely runoff voters remain undecided, leaving substantial room for movement before Election Day.

The Demcratic Runoff

Ron Sparks advances from the Democratic primary to the November General Election for Commissioner of Alabama  Agriculture and Industries because he was the lone candidate to qualify.

Sparks earned a high school diploma from Fort Payne High School and an associate degree from Northeast State Community College. His career experience includes working as an agriculture director.

Sparks has the highest name identity of any of the candidiates for ag and industries. He served as the state's Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries from 2003 to 2011. He then ran for and lost his campaign for governor.

.Saturday's Runoff Preview: Public Service Commission, Place #2