Democratic ag commissioner candidates respond to survey

From Staff Reports

Texas Ag Commissioner Hopefuls   Tom Ramsay   Ernesto DeLeon --Courtesy photos

February 28, 2002 -- Country World submitted a questionnaire to the two Democratic candidates seeking the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture post. Voters will choose between the two at the March 12 primary election (early voting is under way).

The current Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs is unopposed in the primaries.

Following the outcome of the March 12 election, Combs, a Republican, and one of these Democrats, will vie for the state seat in the Nov. 5 election.

The two Democratic candidates are Ernesto DeLeon of Brownsville and Tom Ramsay of Mount Vernon. Here are the questions and the candidates' responses:

• Family Information

Ernesto DeLeon has been married to his wife Sylvia for 38 years. They have five children, and one granddaughter.

Tom and Laurie Ramsay have been married 33 years and have four children Michael, Mark, Allison, and Jordan. The Ramsays are members of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon.

• In a short statement, why you are seeking the office of Texas Commissioner of Agriculture?

DeLeon: I am running because I would like to contribute my lifetime of education and experience in agriculture to public service for the people of Texas. I am not a professional politician, but I have spent my entire life working in nearly every facet of Texas Agriculture. I want to put that experience to work for Texas.

My experience in Texas agriculture has given me an understanding of the needs of nearly everyone involved in the ag industry. I have assisted farmers and ranchers improve and conserve soil. I have worked in the fields as a farmer and rancher, myself. I established the Texas Department of Agriculture's Export program.

Ramsay: I first ran for public office because I have a deep commitment to Texas and a sincere dedication for the future of our families and communities. It is critical that the Commissioner of Agriculture be an effective advocate for Texas and especially rural Texas. I want to be Commissioner of Agriculture because I know that we can do more to improve our quality of life in Texas.

I make my living from the land, farming it, ranching it, and once in a while selling it. I know the economics of agriculture, I understand the state's needs and I understand our states grand traditions. I share our rural values and I know we can do more. We can do more to enhance those economies, we can do more to honor those traditions, and we can do more to promote those values. My name is Tom Ramsay, and I am asking for your support, and with your help, I'll step up for Texas.

• What are your qualifications?

DeLeon: I offer a unique combination of experience in the private sector as well as having worked for both the Texas and U.S. Departments of Agriculture. After receiving my Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from Texas A&M, I spent over 10 years working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Soil and Water Conservation Service and nearly 20 years working for the Texas Department of Agriculture where I established the agency's Export Program. I have spent the last 15 years as independent rancher and agriculture consultant.

Ramsay: Farmer/Rancher for 25 years. Business degree from SMU; owned and operated successful small business for over 25 years. Served five terms in Texas House of Representatives, two as Chairman of County Affairs Committee. Served eight years as trustee, Mt. Vernon ISD; Six years Texas National Guard.

• Please identify what you consider the three most significant areas of interest, need, or concern in the office you are seeking, and how you would work to address each.

DeLeon: 1) I would like to expand the Export Readiness Training (ERT) Program and other associated Export programs. I helped establish the Export program and I know that opening new markets to Texas agriculture products is one of the most important ways to help Texas' Agriculture producers. The financial struggles of producers including the debts that producers increasingly find themselves owing demand that we aggressively pursue new markets and reopen markets that have closed.

2) I want the Department of Agriculture to do more to help producers with the effects of Texas' unpredictable extreme weather. Assistance programs need to be based on need, so scarce government dollars are helping those who need it most.

3) I want to strengthen consumer protection. We need to increase funding for department inspections. In these uncertain economic times, Texas consumers need to know that they are getting a gallon of gas or a pound of Texas Star Ruby Red Grapefruit when they pay for it.

Ramsay: Protecting family farms, making sure that our food supply is safe, and guaranteeing that Texas consumers get what they pay for are just a few things that I believe are critical issues facing the next Texas Agriculture Commissioner.

If elected, how would I work to address these concerns? Texas families are my #1 priority. I will use my legislative experience, farming/ranching background, and my success in promoting economic development to ensure the safety of our food, the viability of our family farms, and to bring high quality jobs to rural Texas.