Texas Agriculture Commissioner Staples to resign
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said Thursday he will quit his statewide-elected office early to become president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, one of the state's most powerful trade groups.
Staples has been the state's chief agriculture officer since 2007, but earlier this year lost a bid for lieutenant governor in the Republican primary. He also previously served in the state House and Senate.
Staples said in a statement that he'll step down sometime within the next two months, but didn't give an exact date. Until a new agriculture commissioner is selected in the November general election and sworn into office in January, Deputy Commissioner Drew DeBarry will be in charge of running the agency.
"I will continue to fight for Texas to be the leader in our national and world economy," Staples said in a statement. "As I embark on this new challenge, I do so equipped with the knowledge and leadership lessons learned through my current and previous public service and private sector roles.
Read more: http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/texas/texas-agriculture-commissioner-staples-to-resign/nhPzF/