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[0] Do you think the added focus is good or bad? Why? [2] The added focus is good for agriculture. Voters have an opportunity to learn about the candidates’ experience and background. WVDA impacts producers and consumers on a daily basis. Food safety, animal and plant health, marketing and development of products and farmers markets, nutrient management assistance, water sampling, feed and seed testing, pet food monitoring, and being a “voice for agriculture” are a sample of the duties of WVDA under the direction of the commissioner of agriculture. [3] I think it is wonderfully opportune for the West Virgina Department of Agriculture that West Virginia voters are reminded that it exists. A $65 million state agency with 350-plus employees has been under the steady hand of Gus Douglass for most of 40-plus years, and the voters are hopefully being awakened to the tremendous importance and potential of this office. I believe the commissioner of agriculture should indeed have a strong agricultural background, which I cannot imagine one managing to have without, in fact, having been a farmer. ... As a farmer, it is of great concern to me, and one of my reasons for running, that the commissioner of agriculture is elected not by farmers, but by a majority vote, the majority of whom do not now understand or appreciate the importance of West Virginia agriculture. As commissioner of agriculture, I would work to change that. [4] I think it is bad for the people of West Virginia because this race has turned into a mud-slinging campaign by some of the candidates, and they seem to be getting all the media attention. I would like to get back to the issues of agriculture and how we need to serve the people in the future. [5] It’s kind of a double-edged sword. The good part is it does draw attention to the race, I think there were a lot of folks out there (who) didn’t realize this was an elected position. It’s gaining awareness and educating the public, which is a great thing. Some of the things have been negative about the race … indirect things have been negative, and that’s the bad part. But I’m glad the race is getting attention because it is making people aware there is a commissioner of agriculture and it is an important position, and it’s about a lot more than cows and corn like hay, and food and water safety. [6] Did not respond to repeated attempts to contact him. [7] Could not be reached for comment [1] 
I think it is good. The Republican Party vetted me carefully to make sure I was qualified to run and do the job. The voters are getting to see who is really qualified to be commissioner of agriculture and who is not.
AgriHunt: WV agriculture commissioner race draws statewide attention
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