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DEL.ICIO.USBlack, Kemp in runoff for GOP agriculture bid
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The closely watched Republican race for state agriculture commissioner is headed for a runoff.
Returns showed agribusiness lobbyist and farmer Gary Black of Commerce consistently ahead in county-by-county returns from the four-person race and state Sen. Brian Kemp of Athens running a distant second place.
But Black was unable to capture a majority to avoid an Aug. 8 runoff.
The winner of that contest faces entrenched Democratic incumbent Tommy Irvin in the November general election.
State Republicans, who already control the state House, Senate and governor’s office, are openly targeting Irvin, Georgia’s longest serving statewide elected official.
Irvin was at home in Hiawasee on Tuesday night, waiting for news on who might be facing in his 10th and last election.
“I’m ready,” the 76-year-old Irvin said. “I’ve done a good job, and I’m going to run on our record.”
He said he had anticipated a GOP runoff.
Two of the candidates — farmer Deanna Strickland of Brooklet and Robert “Bob” Greer of Suwanee — have challenged Irvin before. Strickland tried to unseat Irvin four years ago. Greer’s attempt was eight years ago.
One of the unusual aspects of this year’s contest is that Irvin and all four of the GOP candidates claim to be millionaires.
Irvin reports being the wealthiest, with a net worth of $16,167,233, followed by Kemp at $6,202,537, Strickland at $2,567,561, Black at $1,048,500 and Greer at $1,012,524.
The state Department of Agriculture, with an annual budget of about $43 million, has a lot on its plate — from helping farmers and inspecting food to regulating pest control companies and measuring the accuracy of gasoline pumps.
The department also is responsible for protecting Georgia’s coveted Vidalia onion against inferior imitators.
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