But What About Agriculture?

In a little noticed race, Miami attorney Eric Copeland took on Charles Bronson, the incumbent Commissioner of Agriculture.

Yes, Copeland lost. Badly, actually – 57% to 43%.

But incumbent Charles Bronson raised 2,190,032.49 and Copeland raised only $265,901.99 – an 8 to 1 advantage for Bronson who will be term limited out in 2010. In light of that fact, Copeland's showing looks pretty good.

Will Copeland run for Commissioner of Agriculture again? I’m not so sure, but we definitely saw a rising star. $265,901.99 may not be enough to run statewide, but it is a respectable sum for a more local race – particularly one where he is not seen as a sort of sacrificial lamb, as he was in 2006 running against Bronson.

Bronson cannot run for re-election and will probably not go much of anywhere, unless he moves to a safe Republican congressional seat and waits for someone to retire. So his story probably ends here.

Former state senator and former gubernatorial nominee Rod Smith drew a lot of contributions from agricultural interests and though Attorney General might be a sexier position to run for, Ag Commissioner will be open.