Danny Lee Ford II, stepping into the political arena, has announced his candidacy for agriculture commissioner at the Upstate Livestock Exchange in Anderson County. Ford, the son of Clemson's national championship-winning coach, is set to bring his farming background to the forefront in this race.
Ford enters a competitive primary field aiming to succeed the retiring Hugh Weathers. Among his opponents are USDA state executive director Cody Simpson, who recently secured endorsements from former President Donald Trump and Governor Henry McMaster. Also in the mix are Weathers-backed Fred West and Jeremy Cannon, all vying for the Republican nomination.
The role of agriculture commissioner is pivotal, overseeing the state Department of Agriculture, which is crucial to South Carolina's largest industry sector. Ford, a cattle and hemp farmer, cites personal farm challenges, including a significant loss of cattle to blue-green algae bloom, as motivation for his candidacy.
Ford's campaign is centered on bolstering support for farmers and enhancing the connection between the agriculture industry and consumers. “Whenever farmers are having trouble, it makes the difference when they know that people are behind them,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of community backing.
His father, an early adopter of industrial hemp farming in the state and Clemson's head coach during their 1981 national championship win, remains a significant influence. Ford looks forward to leveraging his father's experience and connections throughout the campaign.
Having filed an initial finance report, Ford has already invested $500 into his campaign. As the filing period approaches from March 16 to March 30, with the primary set for June 9, Ford is gearing up for a spirited race.