CAMPAIGN 2026: Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate announces run for lieutenant governor

Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate – Photo from Rick Pate campaign

CAMPAIGN 2026: Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate is joining the list of candidates running for lieutenant governor.

Pate is a Republican and is serving his second term as agriculture commissioner. Because of term limits, he can’t seek a third consecutive term in that office.

“I’ve spent my life working the land, running a business and serving my neighbors,” Pate said in a statement. “As lieutenant governor, I’ll bring that same hands-on leadership to supporting President Trump and Coach Tuberville in advancing the American First Agenda — so Alabama stays a place where families thrive, agriculture prospers, and conservative values lead the way.”

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville recently announced that he will seek the governor’s office.

Pate grew up on his family’s cattle farm in Lowndes County. He earned a degree in horticulture from Auburn University in 1978 and founded Pate Landscape Company, which he operated for 38 years.

Pate served as mayor of Lowndesboro for 14 years before being elected agriculture commissioner in 2018. He was re-elected without any major party opposition in 2022.

During his tenure as commissioner, Pate launched the “Sweet Grown Alabama” branding program to promote local agricultural products, expanded the state’s Farm-to-School initiative, and led the “Thank a Farmer” campaign to increase public appreciation for farmers, according to his campaign.

He also oversaw the opening of a new Pesticide Residue Lab in Auburn and secured funding to support Alabama’s meat and poultry inspection programs, his campaign said.

Pate enters a growing Republican field for lieutenant governor. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Patrick Bishop, Dean Odle and Nicole Wadsworth have also announced their candidacies for the Republican nomination.

The primary election is May 19, 2026.