State Rep. James White, R-Hilister, announced Wednesday that he is running for agriculture commissioner, marking the first major primary opponent for incumbent Sid Miller.

White made the announcement in an email to supporters in which he said Texas “has never been more under assault.”

“From out-of-state liberals spending millions to turn Texas blue to a Biden Administration that is seeking to cripple our state financially and erase our rich culture, Texas needs leaders with the boldness of President Donald Trump to fight back and hold the line,” White wrote.

The announcement made official a move White had been teasing since he announced earlier this month he would not seek re-election to the Texas House after six terms in office.

Miller considered running for governor in 2022, challenging fellow Republican Greg Abbott, but announced earlier this month that he would instead run for reelection as agriculture commissioner.

This article was written by  JAMES BARRAGÁN AND PATRICK SVITEK of The Texas Tribune.  The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them – about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.  This article originally appeared at: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/30/james-white-sid-miller-texas/

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