Catch up on San Antonio's news, culture, and events with our free newsletters, delivered three times a week. This week, the focus is on the Texas primary election, including Donald Trump's last-minute endorsement of Sid Miller, who ultimately lost to Nate Sheets.
Join 30,000 locals who stay current on San Antonio news, culture, and events. Get our free newsletters in your inbox three times a week.Join 30,000 locals who stay current on San Antonio news, culture, and events.
Get our free newsletters in your inbox three times a week.On the Friday before the Texas primary election day , Donald Trump visited Corpus Christi and—among other things—dished out a long list of last-minute endorsements for his preferred GOP candidates mired in competitive races. One surprising name on that list was Sid Miller. Surprising because one would have expected Trump to throw his weight behind Miller, the bombastic Texas Agriculture Commissioner and one of the president’s most steadfast champions in the state , much sooner. For months, Miller had found himself as something of an underdog in the toughest primary fight of his career, up against a strong challenger fully backed by his powerful political nemesis, Gov. Greg Abbott. Nevertheless, Miller tried to squeeze all the juice from that endorsement that he could in the final stretch before Tuesday, saying it was proof that Republicans simply need to “Stick with Sid.” But early Tuesday night, it was clear that this was all too little, too late. Miller was getting his cattle rousted by his challenger, Nate Sheets, a businessman who purveys a successful line of honey products. Miller’s apparent defeat marks one of the very rare instances of a statewide executive-branch Republican incumbent getting toppled in a Texas primary. Apart from an upset defeat of one-term Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton back in 2020, the last time an incumbent lost was back in 2014 when tea-party insurgent state Senator Dan Patrick toppled his weakened boss, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. That Trump’s endorsement only came in at the last second for Miller wasn’t the first sign that the rancher and former rodeo roper from Stephenville was in trouble. In recent sessions, he’d allegedly found himself at increasing odds with Republican leaders in the Legislature—seeing his authority at the Ag Department clawed back. He’s also been in a bit of a political cold war with Abbott since at least 2020, when he joined a lawsuit against the governor over his COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and briefly considered waging a primary challenge against him in 2022 — and took shots at Abbott over the governor’s handling of the power gridHeading into his bid for reelection to his fourth term as Texas’ top ag man, Miller seemed unbothered by the threat posed by Sheets—who has billed himself on his campaign website as a “veteran, agriculture entrepreneur, family man, and Trump conservative.” Miller said: “Texas is littered with the political bodies of my previous opponents.” That’s perhaps a bit of an overstatement—but he did beat his last primary challenger, conservative state Rep. James White, by nearly 30 points in 2022. His opponent this time around was surely no match either — MillerAnd it’s not like Miller hasn’t had any vulnerabilities. In his second term in office, Miller’s political consultant was indicted for bribery for trying to sell hemp licenses that were controlled by Miller’s office. (The ag commish was never implicated himself, but heSince 1986, the SA Current has served as the free, independent voice of San Antonio, and we want to keep it that way. Becoming an SA Current Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.When Abbott announced his endorsement of Sheets, he zeroed in on Miller’s ethics concerns. “Texans deserve an Agriculture Commissioner who is focused on promoting Texas Agriculture, with zero tolerance for criminality,” Abbott said. “Nate Sheets is the true conservative champion for the job and is the leader we need to keep Texas the global powerhouse in agriculture.” Abbott also took aim at a vote Miller took well a quarter-century ago as a state representative in favor of the Texas Dream Act to provide in-state tuition for undocumented students. That law was killed, with Abbott’s approval, last year by a joint legal maneuver between the state and Trump’s DOJ. “He is a grifter and a conman. His honey is fraud. His campaign is fraud,” Miller posted. “He has shown over and over again that he cannot be trusted with the truth so he must never be trusted with power.” The three-term incumbent is effectively the underdog in the primary race for his own seat, lagging in fundraising and under attack by members of his own party.‘Employees are expected to comply with this dress code in a manner consistent with their biological gender,’ notes the memo, which warns that violators could be fired.From those who planted the seeds of Trump’s strategy to try to challenge the election, to others who sowed doubt and anger by spreading baseless election-fraud conspiracy theories, Texans played major roles in the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Texas Primary Election Sid Miller Donald Trump Greg Abbott Nate Sheets
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas leaders vying to privatize public education — and San Antonio’s NEISD in the crosshairsCritics say repeated threats by Gov. Greg Abbott and other state officials to take over schools campuses are part of a plan to discredit public education.
Read more »
San Antonio News Roundup: Shooting After Spurs Game, Political Developments, and Housing ConcernsA shooting after a Spurs game at the Frost Bank Center resulted in one hospitalization and a suspect's detention. Additionally, a Pearsall ISD employee was arrested on drug charges, and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales withdrew from reelection. This roundup also includes local weather updates, coverage of the Alamo's anniversary, and a focus on housing affordability in Texas, highlighted by President Trump's remarks about institutional investors buying single-family homes.
Read more »
‘Remember the Alamo’: Wreaths laid at San Antonio site on 190th anniversary of crucial Texas battleDozens gathered at The Alamo in San Antonio on Friday morning to mark the 190th anniversary of a battle that ultimately proved crucial to Texas gaining its independence.
Read more »
San Antonio ISD superintendent Jaime Aquino to retire in January 2027SAN ANTONIO - After 40 years in public education, Superintendent Jaime Aquino announced Friday that he will retire in January 2027, concluding a distinguished career dedicated to students, families, and public education.
Read more »
Planning for severe weather: San Antonio River Authority reminds travelers to plan aheadSAN ANTONIO - With storms expected through next week, the San Antonio River Authority is urging residents to plan ahead and use extra caution on the roads durin
Read more »
Gas prices surge ahead of spring break travel, with San Antonio drivers feeling the pinchGas prices are climbing quickly just as many families prepare to hit the road for spring break, and experts warn the increases may continue for weeks.
Read more »