The Democratic nominee for Texas Agriculture Commissioner is a “Socialist Operative” who wants to “convert productive agricultural land into large-scale wind and solar developments”, claims a new website published by his Republican opponent.
The website, ComradeClayton.com, describes “The Real Clayton Tucker” as an “Open Borders Radical”, “Green New Deal Extremist”, and “COVID Lockdown Tyrant.” Tucker faces Republican Nate Sheets in the November General Election to succeed outgoing Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. Sheets defeated Miller in the March Republican Primary.
Numerous social media posts from Tucker are highlighted on the website, many of which have since been deleted by Tucker.
Tucker, who is a Past President of the Texas Progressive Caucus, has been a leader in “Our Revolution”, an organization founded by Socialist Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. In endorsing Tucker for Agriculture Commissioner, Our Revolution pointed to his history as a left-wing organizer.
“Our Revolution is proud to endorse Clayton Tucker for Texas Agriculture Commissioner — a rancher and longtime community organizer, he has dedicated his life to challenging corporate influence in agriculture and fighting for economic justice across the state,” said Our Revolution.
“In endorsing Clayton Tucker, Our Revolution is backing a candidate who represents the heart of people-powered politics: leaders who organize with communities, fight for structural change, and refuse corporate PAC money.”
The “Comrade Clayton” website also features posts by Tucker in which he described a border wall as “racist”, advocated for a “Medicare for All” healthcare system, posed for a photograph with Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and said “Her story is the embodiment of the American Dream”, and advocated for a shelter in place during the COVID pandemic.
Tucker’s views on environmental issues are also emphasized on the website.
During his 2020 campaign for the Texas Senate, Tucker committed to supporting “100% renewable energy by 2030” on a Ballotpedia candidate survey and tweeted his support for the “Green New Deal” energy policy.
“The #ClimateCrisis will devistate [sic] TX farmers and ranchers if we don’t stop it. As a TX State Senator, I will push a bill to help equip every TX farm/ranch with wind turbines &/or solar panels to both mitigate #ClimateChange and to help farmers/ranchers economically,” wrote Tucker in another tweet.
Despite his long history of involvement in leftist political organizations, Tucker is actively courting Republican support in his campaign for Agriculture Commissioner.
“This race isn’t right v left. It’s organized people v organized money,” said Tucker in a social media post earlier this month.
In a July 7 tweet, Tucker said, “The Ag Commissioner isn’t about being right or left. It’s about putting Texans first, not special interests.”
However, Tucker’s attempt to rebrand himself has received pushback from conservative activists.
“Tucker does not share our Texas values. He is a Democrat socialist and one of the most radical candidates to ever run for a statewide office in Texas,” wrote Christin Bentley, a former member of the State Republican Executive Committee.
The Williamson County Republican Party, meanwhile, has called Tucker a “communist cowboy.”
