Republican Sid Miller has been elected agriculture commissioner following a quiet race for an office that has been a springboard for the politically ambitious.
Miller is a longtime Texas House member whose opponent was the most peculiar Democratic challenger on the statewide ticket. Farmer Jim Hogan refused to campaign or raise money and said he ran as a Democrat because the party gave him no primary competition.
The 59-year-old Miller won't exactly fit the mold of his predecessors when he takes office.
Gov. Rick Perry began his ascent as a state executive by becoming agriculture commissioner in 1991.
He was followed by Susan Combs, who's now the outgoing comptroller, and Todd Staples.
Staples spent years using the office to build his profile but badly lost a run for lieutenant governor.
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