4 running for Alabama agriculture commissioner

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Four candidates are vying for the office of Alabama agriculture commissioner.

Tracy Crane, Gerald Dial, Cecil Murphy and Rick Pate are all running as Republicans for the office. There are no Democrats running. Incumbent John McMillan is running for state treasurer.

Pate is the current mayor of Lowndesboro in Lowndes County. A big priority for Pate is less regulation and taxes on farmers. He says his experience in business and farming set him apart.

"I want them to think: He's a farmer, he knows agriculture, he's a business ma, he's been a mayor. And to think that he's not a career politician, but he definitely understands agriculture, and I think that's a huge advantage over any one of my opponents," Pate said.

Dial is currently a state senator for District 13.

He says he brings to the table a working relationship with legislators. He says his main priority is increasing irrigation.

"We have $100,000 acres in Alabama under irrigation. Our neighboring state Georgia has $500,000. I think we can add $100,000 per year, and that drastically will increase crop production. When you irrigate, you can about triple your production irrigation is a very high priority," Dial said.

Tracy Crane and Cecil Murphy were unavailable for interviews.

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