Sklar announces intention to seek political seat

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Shane Sklar, former ICA of Texas executive director and life-long rancher, has announced he will seek District 14’s U.S. Representative post. He said if he’s successful in the November 2006 election, he would be the only Texas Congressman who earns their living from agricultural production. District 14 includes the counties of Chambers, Brazoria, Wharton, Jackson, Victoria, Matagorda, Calhoun, Aransas, and parts of Fort Bend. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Sept. 8, 2005 - Earlier this summer, Shane Sklar of Edna resigned as Executive Director of the Texas Independent Cattleman’s Association (ICA). It wasn’t that he didn’t like his position or care about what happens to rural Texas and its citizens. In fact, Sklar just announced that he will challenge Ron Paul for the U.S. Representative seat for District 14.

Sklar, son of Mary and Darrel Sklar of Edna, and new husband of Jill Turner of Anahuac, is a fourth-generation rancher, and it’s rural citizens and their needs that have helped form his opinion of the district’s needs. After the redistricting that went on in Texas, lines changed. According to Sklar, 50 percent of District 14 is different than before, and many in the newly-drawn district are included in rural, agricultural areas … something he has known since he was a child.  

After graduating from Sam Houston State University in 1999 with an agricultural business major and a political science minor, Sklar worked as a field representative and field director for Congressman Chet Edwards of Central Texas. During this tenure, Sklar was in contact with many constituents and worked for the good of Edward’s district.

When he accepted the position as ICA of Texas executive director, he was still a “relatively” young man. Sklar noted he wasn’t sure, in the beginning, how his young age would affect him in the leadership position, but he very quickly earned the respect of the young and old beef producers, alike.

Sklar is given credit for his work on the 2002 Farm Bill and the passage of the country of origin retail beef labeling. While he was executive director, ICA of Texas’ membership doubled.

While growing up, Sklar said his family ranched and farmed, and acted as a seed distributor in the Edna area. During that time, the family looked forward to a yearly barbecue with their customers. Sklar said he remembers listening to the producers talking about what the government did, or didn’t do, and it made a big impression on him.

According to Sklar, there are 32 Congress members who represent Texas. If he is successful in his attempt to gain a seat, he will be the only one who depends on agriculture for his income. Sklar and his family operates a cattle operation, along with farming corn, cotton, milo and soybeans. As he said, “… agriculture and rural Texas is where I’m from!”    

Like most other states, Texas’ Congressional representation is mostly by urban citizens. Many have no idea what is happening, or is needed, in rural areas and in the agricultural industry. 

As a fiscally conservative Democrat, Sklar said he wants to “fight to preserve rural Texas,” and is willing to “tackle issues that involve rural Texans and agriculture.” Sklar noted he has been assured, even at this early date (the election is scheduled for November 2006), of a “lot of support from rural, fiscal conservatives in D.C.”

Another important issue that Sklar is willing to address is what happens with Third World countries and the influx of their products into the United States. He emphasized that he realizes and believes the United States needs to be aware of what is happening outside of its continent, yet remember to take care of its citizens, too.

Finally, Sklar noted that he is running for public office to “help the average working man and woman,” and especially those in rural, agricultural Texas.

As the interview ended, he shared something his grandfather had told him: “… live like a Republican and vote Democrat!”