Editor’s note: The News Courier will publish candidate announcements as we receive them and as space allows. Candidate announcements should be sent to editor Adam Smith at adam@athensnews-courier.com.

Rick Pate of Lowndesboro near Montgomery is a Republican candidate for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in the Primaries for both parties on Tuesday, June 5.

He is owns and runs a business based in Montgomery, is a Charolais cattle breeder in Lowndes County and has served as mayor of Lowndesboro for the past 13 years.

A graduate of Auburn University with an Ornamental Horticulture degree in 1978, Pate has owned and operated Pate Landscape Co. for more than 36 years. It currently employs 23 people.

Pate has been involved in civic activities, serving on the board of the River Region United Way and as president of the Montgomery Rotary Club. He also serves on the ALGOP Executive Committee and co-chairs the Lowndes County Republican Party.

His family Republican roots go back to 1966 when his mother ran for the Alabama House of Representatives. It is this upbringing, civic and business leadership that has brought Pate to seek an opportunity for service and leadership as the Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

Pate followed in his father’s footsteps in cattle farming He operates a purebred Charolais breeding operation which currently has 50 registered head of cattle.

His decision to run for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries as a Republican came after being approached by a local member of Alabama Farmers Federation Pate decided to research the commitment to serve as Commissioner. After meeting with several industry leaders including current Commissioner John McMillan, Pate felt the time was now to serve the state.

“When I was approached about running for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries,” Pate said. “I saw it as an opportunity to serve our state and promote the agricultural community that I know from my up-bringing I take the call to public service seriously, and when I examined it relative to myself, I decided that this office was a fit for me. My life experiences and contacts across the state make me the most qualified candidate running for this office.”

Asked to sum up his reasons for running for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Pate said he wants to expand markets to ensure food safety and promote agriculture and industry.

“That’s the role of government, and if we can do that and get out of the way, we will be successful,” he said.

For more information, visit www.rickpate.com.