Commissioner Rick Pate (R-AL) on Monday announced that he will seek reelection in 2022 leading the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Pate is currently serving his first term as commissioner of Agriculture and Industries after being elected as a conservative outsider and businessman in 2018.

During his term as commissioner, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has implemented the innovative statewide branding program “Sweet Grown Alabama,” increased funding for the Alabama Farm to School Program and successfully administered Alabama’s first industrial hemp program.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular commissioner also fought to keep agriculture listed as critical infrastructure, delivered essential personal protective equipment to processing facilities across the state and kept the department functioning strongly.

“It has been an absolute honor to serve as your Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries,” stated Pate. “In my first term we accomplished so much, but more work is to be done. This includes keeping our food supply safe, abundant, and sustainable while helping our farmers and rural communities prosper. The agriculture stakeholders have been wonderful partners with me over the past few years.”

Pate was previously served as mayor of Lowndesboro for 14 years. He founded Pate Landscape Co., Inc. and spent 38 years running the company. In 2020, Pate was elected as an RNC delegate and one of the nine Alabama Electoral College Electors for former President Donald J. Trump. He currently serves as chairman of the Lowndes County Republican Party and on the statewide Alabama Republican Executive Committee.

A member of the Lowndesboro Baptist Church, Pate and his wife, Julie, have been married for 33 years and have two adult sons.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn