HOUSTON, Texas–Rick Perry announced his endorsement for Sid Miller in the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner. Endorsements from Governor Perry have been very rare during the 2014 Republican Primary season. During the Primary Election, Perry only endorsed four incumbent judges, he had previously appointed, and one candidate for the Texas State House, Jake Ellzey, a close personal friend.
In the race for Ag Commissioner, Perry said Sid Miller is the best candidate to look out for Texas’ farmers and ranchers. “As a former Texas Agriculture Commissioner myself, I know how critical this position is for the hardworking farmers and ranchers across our state,” said Governor Perry. “I have worked closely with Sid for nearly 15 years and he is the real deal, a proven and trusted conservative leader who has fought hard to build the Texas economy, create jobs and opportunities for Texans, and defend our constitutional freedoms and personal liberties.”
According to a Texas Tribune article earlier this year, “Perry endorsed one candidate for the Texas House — Jake Ellzey, a retired Navy pilot described by a Perry aide as a friend of the governor–and four incumbent judges appointed by Perry. For everybody else, the governor has uncharacteristically become the man who wasn’t there.”
A very grateful candidate, Sid Miller responded, “Rick Perry understands the importance of the office of Ag Commissioner better than anyone in Texas and I am honored to have his support for my campaign.”
Miller squares off against former Texas State Representative Tommy Merritt in the runoff election for the Republican Primary. Miller led Merritt coming out of the Republican Primary election by a margin of 34.56 percent to 20.94 percent. There were five candidates in that election. Early voting for the runoff begins on Monday and runs through Friday. The runoff election regular voting day is on the Tuesday after Memorial Day, May 27th.