On Election Day, Black women in Georgia broke barriers in more ways than one.
Voters there not only elected the first Black woman governor in U.S. history, but also chose Katherine Juhan-Arnold as the state’s first woman and Black commissioner of agriculture.
“Georgia, we did it! I am overwhelmed with gratitude,” Juhan-Arnold wrote in a Facebook statement. “The campaign may be over, but our work is just beginning.”
In her first run for office, the farmer defeated incumbent and seventh-generation farmer Tyler J. Harper. Harper, 40, has been the state’s agriculture commissioner since 2023, and previously served as a state senator from 2013 to 2022. Juhan-Arnold, 37, founded Baby Katie’s Pharm & Kitchen, a nonprofit focused on bringing fresh foods and gardening to low-income communities.
She’ll represent 67,000 farmers, nearly 3,000 of whom are Black. Capital B reached out to Juhan-Arnold but did not hear back.
The win is no small feat for this often overlooked, but powerful role. Every state has a commissioner or secretary of agriculture who shapes farming and environmental policy.
The official oversees and enforces policies and regulations for agriculture, livestock, food safety, forestry, and pest control. The department can conduct gas and oil inspections, administer the National School Lunch Program, inspect grocery stores, or oversee benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the federal supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children known as WIC.
However, only 12 states — mostly in the Southeast — allow voters to elect their commissioners. The rest of the states give that power to the governor, board or commission that appoints their agriculture leader. Historically, white Republican men have held these offices more than other statewide officials combined, according to an analysis by InvestigateMidwest.
This isn’t surprising to John Boyd Jr., president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association. For decades, Black farms have declined, and producers have been pushed out of the industry. They continue to remain underrepresented in positions of power — from the federal Department of Agriculture to state directors and even local-level county committees.
With voters electing Juhan-Arnold, it is vindication for Black farmers, especially women who have been degraded by President Donald Trump and his administration, Boyd added.
“It’s a real leg up for us,” Boyd said. “Having a person who looks like you and can relate to the struggles a Black family farm goes through is a real breakthrough.”
This year, only seven states held elections. Juhan-Arnold wasn’t the only Black person hoping to make history as a state’s top agricultural official. Yet, the three Black men who ran in other states lost those races.
In South Carolina, fourth-generation farmer and Democrat DeShawn Blanding saw an opening to fill the seat, which hadn’t had someone new in office for the past 20 years. With only 45% of the vote, he lost to Republican Cody Simpson, a seventh-generation white farmer. United Citizens Party candidate Chris Nelums, a Black pastor in South Carolina, also faced defeat in the race, receiving less than 1% of the votes.
In Florida, Kyle “KC” Gibson, an AME pastor, ran for agriculture commissioner this year, after unsuccessful bids for governor in 2022, 2018, and 2014, and lieutenant governor in 2022. While he hopes to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming governor one day, the 56-year-old also loves agriculture.
Unlike other agencies, the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services does more than food, water, and agriculture. It issues licenses for private investigators, concealed weapons permits, and conducts inspections for rides at the county fair. As a firearm instructor, former firefighter, and beekeeper hobbyist, Gibson felt this role would be a good fit. His love for agriculture grew through his grandfather, who was a farmer.
He had only three months to campaign, and as a result secured less than 1% of the vote. He lost to incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson. On the campaign trail, he said, many Black voters were not aware of the race, didn’t understand the role of commissioner, or were dismissive of farming.
“Most people are saying, ‘Well, Black people don’t do that.’ I say, ‘Well, how many Black people do you know that are farmers? If you go back two generations, you had some agriculture, and that’s how you survived,” Gibson recalled, as he approached voters.
He added: “It’s very vital, but it’s an under-watched and an underrepresented position. There are still a lot of African Americans that live in rural areas that depend on that department.”
However, he isn’t deterred. He’s already filed paperwork to run again in 2030.
Capital B reached out to Blanding and Nelums, but they didn’t respond by the time of publication.
Unofficial election results by state
ALABAMA: Commissioner of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
Candidates: Democrat Ron Sparks ran against Republican Corey Hill.
Sparks, 74, previously served two terms as the state’s agriculture commissioner from 2003 to 2011. He was one of the youngest elected officials in Alabama when he became a county commissioner for DeKalb County. Hill, 56, is a cattle and poultry farmer who owns a local grocery store. He is currently the mayor of Douglas.
Salary: $100,833
Results: Hill won with 54% of the vote. Sparks garnered 45%.
GEORGIA: Commissioner of Agriculture
Candidates: Democrat Katherine Juhan-Arnold ran against incumbent Republican Tyler J. Harper.
Salary: $125,987
Results: Newcomer Juhan-Arnold defeated Harper 53% to 46%, respectively.
FLORIDA: Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Candidates: Incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson ran against Democrat Joey Mendoza Atkins and Kyle “KC” Gibson, who has no party affiliation
Simpson, 60, is a lifelong egg farmer who was backed by Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He was a state senator for a decade. Mendoza, 41, is a trial attorney who has provided legal aid to farm workers. Gibson, 56, is a pastor and ran for governor several times.
Salary: $139,987
Results: Simpson won his reelection bid, garnering 51% of the vote to Atkins’ 48%. Gibson had less than 1%.
IOWA: Secretary of Agriculture
Candidates: Incumbent Republican Mike Naig ran against Democrat Chris Jones.
Naig, 48, grew up on a family farm and has been the state’s secretary of agriculture for two terms. Jones, 65, is an environmental scientist and researcher. His expertise is in water quality and sustainable agriculture practices.
Salary: $103,212
Results: Naig defeated Jones 52% to 47%.
NORTH DAKOTA: Agriculture Commissioner
Candidates: Incumbent Republican Doug Goehring ran against Democrat Vern Thompson.
Goehring, 61, is a farmer and rancher and seeking re-election. He’s been agriculture commissioner since 2009. Thompson is a former farmer and now trucker. He is the mayor of Minnewaukan and previously served in both the state legislature and other local councils.
Salary: $145,003
Results: Goehring will keep his seat. He secured 62.7% of the vote whereas Thompson pulled only 37%.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Commissioner of Agriculture
Candidates: Republican Cody Simpson ran against Democrat DeShawn Blanding, Libertarian Michael Sullens and United Citizens Party nominee Chis Nelums.
Simpson, 35, is a fifth-generation farmer and state executive director for the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Blanding, 29, is a fourth-generation farmer and agriculture researcher and policy advocate. He’s worked as a policy analyst for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture and aide for USDA’s National Resources Conservation Services. Sullens is a restaurant operator, and Nelums is an entrepreneur.
Salary: $162,000
Results: Simpson beat his challengers with 51% of the vote; Blanding received 45%, Nelums 0.79%, and Sullens 1.9%.
TEXAS: Commissioner of Agriculture
Candidates: Republican Nate Sheets ran against Democrat Clayton Tucker and Libertarian Austin Kelly.
Sheets, 55, is a rancher and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He received an endorsement from Gov. Greg Abott. Tucker, 35, is a rancher, former kindergarten teacher, and agriculture researcher for the National Science Foundation. He was backed by several congressional leaders, including Reps. Jamie Raskin and Lloyd Doggett. Kelly is an agriculture scientist and a student pursuing his doctorate at Texas A&M University.
Salary: $140,937
Results: Tucker won with 51% of the votes, becoming the state’s first Democratic agriculture commissioner in four decades.
