Kinky Friedman to run for Texas agriculture commissioner

AUSTIN, TX -- Humorist and erstwhile politician Kinky Friedman says he's going to run for Texas agriculture commissioner as a Democrat.

In a statement released Tuesday, Friedman said legalizing marijuana and revitalizing the hemp industry would be his top priorities if elected.

Friedman last ran for agriculture commissioner in 2010, but lost the Democratic primary. He ran for governor as an independent in 2006 and came in third with 12 percent of the vote.

So far only three Democrats have announced their candidacy for statewide office, including Fort Worth Sen. Wendy Davis for governor and Mike Collier for state comptroller.

Four Republicans are vying for that party's nomination for agriculture commissioner, including J Allen Carnes, Brandon Creighton and Eric Opiela.

The agriculture commissioner markets Texas farm and ranch products and regulates the industry.

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