Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller won’t challenge Greg Abbott for governor

Sid Miller, who for months has considered challenging Greg Abbott for governor, has opted to run for reelection as Texas agriculture commissioner.

“I really have the best and most rewarding job in the world,” Miller said Tuesday in an email to supporters. “That’s why, after listening to the advice of supporters, friends, and my team, I have decided that I can best serve Texas by continuing this important work.”

Miller, who has served two four-year terms as agriculture commissioner, appeared close to jumping into the 2022 GOP primary for governor. The charismatic Republican would have been trying to stop Abbott, the two-term incumbent, from reelection.

Abbott, with his stout statewide organization and tens of millions of dollars in his campaign fund, is considered a favorite to win a third term. Still, he’s getting at least one challenge in the primary.

Former state Sen. Donald Huffines of Dallas has mounted a campaign. And former Texas GOP party chairman Allen West is considering a campaign for governor, though he’s also studying other options.

Abbott and his political team had been waiting to see if Miller jumped into the governor’s race. But in the days following the legislative session, rumors of the agriculture commissioner’s entrance into the field began to subside.

Miller, 65, did not mention Abbott in his communication with supporters, but promised to use his political standing as a “bully pulpit.”

“Beyond my official capacity, I feel a special obligation to use the bully pulpit afforded me to stand up for our shared values and hold other elected officials accountable,” the former Texas House member wrote. “This is how we move Texas forward.”