East Texan in Runoff in GOP Ag Commissioner’s Race

AUSTIN (AP) � The Republican race for Texas agriculture commissioner is going to a runoff between Tommy Merritt (pictured) and Sid Miller. The two men received the most votes in Tuesday’s Republican primary, but neither got more than 50%. Miller is a former state representative from Stephenville. He attracted statewide attention for his conservative views in the Legislature, including passing a bill that requires doctors to perform a sonogram before an abortion. Merritt is a former state representative from Longview and founder of Gregg Industrial Insulators, which employs 500 people. He lost his seat to tea party activist David Simpson. The agriculture commissioner is responsible for promoting Texas products while regulating food products for safety. The runoff election will be held May 27.