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Former Longview rep formally announces bid for agriculture commissioner

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AUSTIN — The number of candidates in the crowded Republican race for agriculture commissioner grew Tuesday as former state Rep. Tommy Merritt of Longview formally cast his bid.

Speaking outside of the Stephen F. Austin State Office Building where the agricultural department is housed, Merritt said he would continue the work of current Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples — who is running for lieutenant governor — and aim to modernize the department through providing updated technology to its employees if elected.

Merritt said he would also work on implementing Proposition 6, the ballot initiative approved by Texas voters earlier this month to pump $2 billion into state water projects from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. He also called for a “complete overhaul of the bureaucratic water regulatory system” in Texas.

“Water districts are often more interested in holding their ground than getting water from where it is to where it’s needed, and I know we can do better,” he said.

Merritt joins former state Rep. Sid Miller of Stephenville, Austin-based lawyer Eric Opiela and Uvalde Mayor J Allen Carnes in the March 4 primary.

If he wins, Merritt may face Kinky Friedman — the only Democrat running for agriculture commissioner — in the November 2014 general election.


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