Ag Commissioner race takes dark turn with ‘flat out lie’ in new ad
Meet your presumed new Agricultural Commissioner Rick Pate
Incumbent Agricultural Commissioner John McMillan announced in January that he would not be seeking reelection, opting for a run for State Treasurer instead. Four candidates stepped up to the plate seeking election in the June 5 primary, with former state Sen. Gerald Dial and Lowndesboro Mayor Rick Pate both garnering enough support to tip the race into a a runoff election. The runoff race took a dark turn when Dial began hurling insults at Pate and lying about him in a campaign ad. But the negative campaign strategy didn’t work, Pate won the runoff election with nearly 57 percent of the vote. Now, facing no Democratic challenger in the November general election, Pate has presumably won has race, and will become Agricultural Commissioner in 2019. With that in mind, here are the five things you need to know about Rick Pate: 1. He’s a cattle breeder and farmer. Pate’s father, Harold Pate was an award winning cattle farmer, and charter member of the National Cattlemen’s Association. “Pate is said to have done more over a longer period of time to promote and advance Charolais cattle in Alabama than any other individual,” said Auburn University. His son, candidate Rick Pate is now one of the owners and operators of the Pate Charolais farm, a Charolais cattle farm and breeder in Lowndesboro, Ala. 2. He’s been the Mayor of Lowndesboro since 1997 First elected in 1997, Pate has been the mayor of Lowndesboro, a town with a population of 107, since 1997. Under Pate’s leadership the town, southwest of Montgomery, has more than $1.2 million in cash reserves. In fact, the town operates a water system, which has twice been named the second-best-tasting water by the non-profit Alabama Rural Water Association. 3. He holds a bachelors degree in Horticulture. Pate attended the University of Auburn’s agricultural school, and earned a bachelors degree in Horticulture. Growing up, and spending nearly all of his life on a farm, has given him an affinity for farmers, and their lifestyle. “When I was approached about running for commissioner of agriculture and industries, I saw it as an opportunity to serve our state and promote the agricultural community that I know from my upbringing,” Pate said announcing his campaign. 4. He owns an award-winning landscaping business. Pate has built Pate Landscape Co., Inc. into an award winning, profitable business over 36 years. It currently employs 23 people. The firm has completed projects such as the Bryant-Denny Stadium Expansion in Tuscaloosa, AU School of Nursing & Pharmacy, Wetumpka WindCreek Casino and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing in Montgomery. 5. He holds several positions in the Alabama Republican Party. Not only a member of the Alabama Republican Party, Pate is vice-chair of the Lowndes County Republican Party and serves as the Lowndes County Place 1 member of the Alabama Republican Executive Committee.
Tracy “T.O.” Crane, former candidate, endorses Gerald Dial in Ag Commissioner runoff
A former Republican candidate for the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Tracy “T.O.” Crane threw his support behind Gerald Dial in the office’s runoff election on Wednesday. Crane, who failed to garner enough votes to win the nomination, made the decision to endorse Dial over Rick Pate after assessing the two runoff candidates’ experience, background, and vision for Alabama’s largest industry – agriculture and forestry. “Gerald Dial is an honorable man who will fight the status quo at the Department of Agriculture and Industries,” stated Crane. “I support Gerald Dial in the Republican runoff election on July 17, and I ask my 55,000 supporters to do the same. With Gerald Dial, we can count on food safety and economic growth being at the top of his agenda.” Crane is a 5th-generation farmer from north Jefferson County. He worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for almost twenty years out of the Birmingham, Ala. field office. Early in his career, he worked with the Office of Independent Counsel on the Whitewater Investigation in Little Rock, Ark., which investigated President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton. “Tracy Crane is one of the leading experts of food safety in the world. His endorsement of my campaign is important to every Alabama family that cares about the safety of our food, a major component of the Agriculture Commissioner’s job,” commented Dial. Dial faces Pate in the July 17 runoff election. In the primary, Pate took home 40.37 percent of the vote, to Dial’s 29.98 percent. “When you go vote on July 17th, keep your family’s safety in mind and vote for Gerald Dial for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. Alabama can’t afford any other choice,” Crane concluded.
Get to know: Gerald Dial, Republican candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries
State Sen. Gerald Dial is one four Republican candidates vying for their Party’s nomination for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries this year. Born and raised in Alabama, Dial has been serving his community, his country and his state for most of his adult life. From working for Lineville High School as a teacher and coach, to working as a real estate developer, and serving on the Lineville City Council, Dials’ even served in the Alabama National Guard as a brigadier general. Dial’s no stranger to state politics. He was first elected to the Alabama State House in 1974 and served there until 1982, and has been serving in the state’s upper chamber since he was elected in 2010. Now he’s running for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries because he wants to “want to protect, produce, promote our state’s agricultural interests.” With easily the catchiest, and most upbeat campaign ad of the entire election cycle, Dial has recently surged in the Agriculture Commissioner race. Here Dial is in his own words: Significant other? How long married? Kids? Married 57 years to Faye B Dial a retired Teacher/ Melanie Dial Lamb /Jason Dial Education background? Professional background? BS degree from West Al -Former Teacher-Coach ( football, basketball) 36years In military National Guard retired as a Bg(Al). What was your first job before college/adulthood and after? First job working at state park during summer / Teacher-Coach/owner operated of building Supply Co/State Representatives/State Senator. In 45 words or less, why are you running for office? This is the second most important job in government. It oversees the largest economic part of our state representing a $70 billion industry. I want to protect, produce, and promote our state’s agricultural interests, increase our exports, expand irrigation, and protect our food supply. Did you speak with anybody in your political party before deciding on running? Receive any encouragement? From whom? Yes Agriculture leg chairs. Farmers Federation members all I spoke with encouraged me. Who do you count on for advice besides significant other or clergy? Fellow legislators, members of congress and the local farmers. I maintain constant contact with also U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Who is your political consultant? Campaign manager? Brett Buchanan Who was the first person to contribute to your campaign? Why did they donate? My wife. She had faith that I will make a difference and she understands how hard I will work to make a difference. Who, if anyone, inspires you in state government? N/A Why do people mistrust elected officials and what are you going to do about it? I have served for years and you have to be trusted and honest with the people all the time. What are 3 specific policy positions that you’re running on? (Please don’t simply say “education” or “improving the schools”) Protecting food supply Increasing food production Promoting Ag exports What is a “disruptive” issue (i.e. ride-sharing) you are interested in? Over regulation of Agriculture. Name one current state law you would want repealed? Sales tax on food. Who was the best governor in Alabama’s modern history? Each had distinct assets and liabilities. What will set you apart from other candidates in this race? My experience my work ethic and my ability to work with others. What’s the first thing you read each morning? Email my daily inspiration. Where do you get your political news? Email – tv news. Favorite TV series? No time. I watch sports. Social media presence? Twitter handle? Facebook? Who posts you, campaign staff, combination? Facebook. I post. In 140 characters, what’s a Tweet that best describes your campaign message. N/A Hobbies? Fishing Favorite sport and sports team? Troy Trojans/Alabama Tide/ Auburn Tigers With less than two weeks until voters head to the ballots, AlabamaToday.com is inviting all candidates running for office in Alabama this year, to complete a questionnaire we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who they are and why they are running. If you are a candidate and would like to complete the questionnaire, email Elizabeth@ALToday.com.
