Fundraising events



Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch


Kinky Friedman Cigars

savejennynow

Kinky's Private Stock Salsa

Echo Hill Ranch

Media Advisory
December 14, 2009

Kinky Friedman Announces Switch to Ag Commissioner

Kinky Friedman for Ag Commissioner

Austin-Following weekend meetings with Mayor Bill White and Farouk Shami, Kinky Friedman announced today that he is abandoning his campaign for Texas Governor and entering the race to become the Democratic nominee for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture.

"This has never been about me; this has always been about what is best for the people of Texas and the Democratic Party," Friedman stated. "After my visit with Bill my mind was made up. There is a clear alternative for the people of Texas, and today I'm changing courses with a happy heart. I've determined that the best way that I can help the ticket and serve Texas families is by switching to the Ag Commissioner's race. Former Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Jim Hightower explained how much the office does and how much potential there is to do more."

Friedman's announcement came on the heels of Mayor White's entry into the race for Governor. The frontrunner in the race for Governor, Friedman spent the week re-evaluating his role on the ticket, culminating with a meeting with Mayor White. Friedman will file on Tuesday with the Texas Democratic Party.

"Mayor White, Farouk and I share the same desire for changing the leadership in Austin, up and down the ballot," Friedman continued. "I'm confident that the torch for many of my issues will be carried forward in November, and now, we'll do our part by campaigning hard to represent our party and the people of Texas starting with protecting our farmlands, not give them away to Spain."

Friedman plans to focus on revamping the position of Agriculture Commissioner to increase the number of farmer co-ops, improve production of biofuels and bioenergy, expand the market for Texas agriculture products, and solidify the future of Texas agriculture through numerous programs, including a doubling of the cap for the Young Farmer Loan Program and defending farmers against eminent domain.

"I've got a pretty detailed plan of action that we'll be rolling out later in the week," Friedman concluded. "From forming a statewide public defenders office and setting a goal of at least one animal rescue facility in each county, to restoring our depleted woodlands and promoting a greater role for local producers in school cafeterias, we're going to shake things up and show folks what the office can be if you have someone there who actually cares about the job."

To schedule your interview with Kinky, Campaign Manager Rania Batrice, or Campaign Consultant Colin Strother, call 512.701.1984 or email rbatrice

.

Platform to Promote and Protect Texas

Platform to Promote and Protect Texas

Renewable Energy & Renewable Resources

  • Accelerate Grant Funding for Biomass and Bioenergy Projects
  • Promote and Fund Development of Renewable Crops
  • Expand Soil and Water Conservation Programs
  • Restore Pine and Hardwood Forests with Expanded Replanting
  • Increase Efforts to Repair Pasturelands Damaged by Tidal Surge

Expanding Markets

  • Provide Financing to Create more Farmer Co-Ops
  • Implement a National Advertising Program for Go-Texan Products & Producers
  • Organize International Outreach Programs

Ensure the Future of Texas Agriculture

  • Double the Young Farmer Loan Cap to $1 million
  • Create the Statewide Public Defender Office to Aid Rural Texans and Farmers
  • Certify "Ag Outreach Experts" to Teach Texas Kids About Careers In Agriculture
  • Create the "Ag Internships Program" to Fund Summer Internships at Texas farms
  • Conduct Quarterly Grant Writing Workshops in Each Region to Expand Access to State & Federal Grant Programs
  • Create Animal Rescue Facilities in Every County

SIGN UP FOR EMAILS

Your email:

Subscribe