Tyler Harper (born April 19, 1986) is an American politician who serves as the Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia since 2023. He previously served in the Georgia State Senate representing the 7th district from 2013 to 2023.[1][2]

Tyler Harper
Harper in 2023
Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia
Assumed office
January 12, 2023
GovernorBrian Kemp
Preceded byGary Black
Member of the Georgia Senate
from the 7th district
In office
January 14, 2013 – January 9, 2023
Preceded byGreg Goggans
Succeeded byNabilah Islam
Personal details
Born (1986-04-19) April 19, 1986 (age 38)
Irwin County, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationAbraham Baldwin Agricultural College
University of Georgia (BS)
Signature

Background

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A native of Ocilla, Georgia, Harper is a 7th generation South Georgia farmer who runs a peanut, cotton, beef cattle, and timber operation on the same land his family has farmed for over 125 years.[3]

Georgia Senate

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While in the Senate, he served as Chairman of the Natural Resources and the Environment Committee and Vice Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He was also a member of the Appropriations Committee and Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.[4] Agriculture Commissioner Campaign

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner

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On June 29, 2021, Harper announced his campaign for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture.[5] On May 24, 2022, Harper won the Republican primary for State Agriculture Commissioner in which he was running unopposed.[6] Harper was endorsed by former Governor Roy Barnes, a Democrat.[7]

Harper won against a Democrat, a Libertarian, and an independent in the November 8, 2022 general election.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Georgia State Senator Tyler Harper (Republican – 7)". Senate.ga.gov. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
  2. ^ Dave Miller (2018-01-11). "Ocilla senator leads environmental committee". Walb.com. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
  3. ^ Bluestein, Greg. "Georgia 2022: Tyler Harper is running for agriculture commissioner". Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  4. ^ "Senator Tyler Harper" (PDF). February 2018.
  5. ^ Bluestein, Greg. "Georgia 2022: Tyler Harper is running for agriculture commissioner". Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  6. ^ "Unopposed candidates quickly claim victory as precincts close". ajc. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  7. ^ Williams, Dave (2022-10-14). "Former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes endorses Republican Tyler Harper for ag commissioner". Northwest Georgia News. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  8. ^ Nolin, Jill (14 November 2022). "Gov. Brian Kemp Wins, and So Do Down-Ballot Republicans". Flagpole.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia
2022
Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia
2023–present
Incumbent