Commissioner of Agriculture

What key experiences would you bring to this role?

Nakita Hemingway, Democrat

I come from a long line of farmers and my decision to run for office was born out of my desire to create better opportunities for every person who calls Georgia home, particularly in the areas of agriculture, land use and economic development. Georgia laws currently do very little to protect the rights of farmers and individual property owners. There are no laws to address land use for urban agriculture which is vital to addressing the growing demand for sustainable locally grown food sources. 

I know firsthand the challenges that many farmers face. Several years ago, my husband and I applied for special use permits in my county of residence, to turn our 7.5 acres of agriculturally zoned land into the farm of our dreams. Although our permits were approved, the types of restrictions imposed were drastically inconsistent with the county ordinance and the laws of the state. This experience helped me to see a clear connection to how these tactics were used to disenfranchise small, and minority-owned farms throughout the state. Ultimately, contributing to a legacy of systemic injustice against African American farmers and the reduction of economic opportunity for many Georgians in rural communities. 

Tyler Harper, Republican

The Tyler Harper campaign did not submit responses to our questionnaire. The response is taken verbatim from the campaign website:

As a 7th generation farmer and small businessman who still uses his grandfather’s tractor in the fields tending the same land that his family has had for over 100 years, Tyler Harper has a deep, personal appreciation for Georgia’s agricultural industry – and the millions of local growers it supports. Since 2013, he has worked to defend Georgia’s largest sector as a State Senator – where he currently serves in leadership on the Natural Resources, Public Safety, and Agriculture Committees. Additionally, Tyler currently serves as the Agriculture & Rural Development Vice-Chair of the Southern Legislative Conference. Over the years, he has championed our farms and farmers, worked to make them more competitive at home and abroad, and help cultivate the next generation of Georgia agriculture.  As your next Agriculture Commissioner, Tyler will ensure our food supplies are kept safe, making sure that our families are fed. He will always put Georgia agriculture first and fight the overreach of Washington, D.C.

Tyler Harper lives in Ocilla and is a lifelong resident of South Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering and holds an associate’s degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He is an active member in his local community and has helped lead organizations across the state – from his local rotary club, to the Georgia Young Farmers Association, to the UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. When he is not serving the state at the Gold Dome or working on the family farm, Tyler can be found enjoying the outdoors – or at Satilla Baptist Church, where he plays in the band every Sunday.

David Raudabaugh, Libertarian

I have started multiple cannabis businesses and bring experience form many other states legalization efforts to ensure we do it right.