Tyler Harper

Tyler Harper

Republican Party

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

1

Prior offices

Georgia State Senate District 7

Successor: Nabilah Islam Parkes

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Compensation

Base salary

$123,987

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Associate

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Bachelor's

University of Georgia

Personal

Profession

Farmer

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official Instagram

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

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Tyler Harper (Republican Party) is the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture. He assumed office on January 9, 2023. His current term ends on January 11, 2027.

Harper (Republican Party) ran for election for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Biography

Tyler Harper earned an A.S. from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and a B.S. in agricultural engineering from the University of Georgia. Harper's career experience includes working as a businessman and farmer. He has been affiliated with the Peace Officer Association of Georgia.

Committee assignments

2021-2022

Harper was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Appropriations Committee
• Natural Resources and the Environment Committee, Chair
• Public Safety Committee, Vice chair
• Senate Rules Committee

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2019-2020

Harper was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Appropriations Committee
• Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee
• Government Oversight Committee, Ex-Officio
• Natural Resources and the Environment Committee, Chairman
• Public Safety Committee, Vice Chairman
• Senate Rules Committee

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2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Harper served on the following committees:

Georgia committee assignments, 2015
• Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Vice chair
• Public Safety, Chair
• Retirement

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Harper served on the following committees:

Georgia committee assignments, 2013
• Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Vice Chair
• Natural Resources and the Environment
• Public Safety
• Retirement

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: Georgia Agriculture Commissioner election, 2022

General election

General election for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture

Tyler Harper defeated Nakita Hemingway and David Raudabaugh in the general election for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tyler Harper (R)	53.0	2,068,892
		Nakita Hemingway (D)	44.8	1,751,214
		David Raudabaugh (L)	2.2	85,656

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,905,762
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Mollie Beavers (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture

Nakita Hemingway defeated Winfred Dukes and Fred Swann in the Democratic primary for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nakita Hemingway	56.2	375,435
		Winfred Dukes	28.6	190,936
		Fred Swann	15.1	101,093

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 667,464
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture

Tyler Harper advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tyler Harper	100.0	1,029,564

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,029,564
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Georgia State Senate District 7

Incumbent Tyler Harper won election in the general election for Georgia State Senate District 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tyler Harper (R)	100.0	56,433

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 56,433
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 7

Incumbent Tyler Harper advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 7 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tyler Harper	100.0	25,504

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 25,504
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Georgia State Senate District 7

Incumbent Tyler Harper won election in the general election for Georgia State Senate District 7 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tyler Harper (R)	100.0	45,488

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,488 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 7

Incumbent Tyler Harper advanced from the Republican primary for Georgia State Senate District 7 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tyler Harper	100.0	10,199

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 10,199
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Georgia State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 24, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 11, 2016.

Incumbent Tyler Harper ran unopposed in the Georgia State Senate District 7 general election.

Georgia State Senate, District 7 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Tyler Harper Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	48,481
Total Votes				48,481
Source: Georgia Secretary of State

Incumbent Tyler Harper ran unopposed in the Georgia State Senate District 7 Republican primary.

Georgia State Senate, District 7 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Tyler Harper Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Georgia State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014, with a runoff election taking place where necessary on July 22, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Incumbent Tyler J. Harper was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

See also: Georgia State Senate elections, 2012

Harper ran in the 2012 election for Georgia State Senate District 7. Harper defeated Rodney Vickers and Mark Hatfield in the Republican primary on July 31, 2012. Gene Mitchell ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The general election took place on November 6, 2012. Harper defeated Mitchell in the general election.

Georgia State Senate, District 7, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Tyler Harper	71.5%	40,111
	Democratic	Donald Mitchell	28.5%	15,961
Total Votes				56,072

Georgia State Senate, District 7 Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Tyler Harper	63%	14,862
Mark Hatfield	29.1%	6,875
Rodney Vickers	7.9%	1,852
Total Votes		23,589

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Tyler Harper did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Tyler Harper did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Tyler Harper campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture	Won general	$2,156,377	$0
2020	Georgia State Senate District 7	Won general	$201,480	N/A**
2018	Georgia State Senate District 7	Won general	$232,005	N/A**
2016	Georgia State Senate, District 7	Won	$140,500	N/A**
2014	Georgia State Senate, District 7	Won	$121,157	N/A**
Grand total			$2,851,519	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Georgia

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Georgia scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].

2022

In 2022, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 10 to April 4.

• Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

• National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 31. ACLU Georgia Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to civil rights issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 26. The session was suspended from March 13 through June 11. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Georgia Environment Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Georgia General Assembly was in session from January 14 through April 2. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the Georgia General Assembly was in session from January 8 through March 29. Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Georgia Center for Opportunity Legislators are scored on their votes on children's education. Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Georgia General Assembly was in session from January 9 through March 31. Americans for Prosperity Georgia Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. Georgia Center for Opportunity Legislators are scored on their votes on children's education. Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Georgia Environment Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Georgia General Assembly was in session from January 11 through March 24. Americans for Prosperity Georgia Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].
In 2015, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 12 through April 2. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 13 through March 21. Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Georgia National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].
In 2013, the Georgia State Legislature was in session from January 13 through March 21. Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Stances on the issues

Agriculture commissioners are responsible for overseeing and regulating practices and policies that affect farmers, consumers of agricultural products, and the broader agricultural industry in their states. Their powers can vary, but they typically have the authority to enforce state laws and regulations pertaining to agriculture and investigate practices related to the agricultural sector that may violate state laws or regulations.

This section outlines Harper's stances on policy issues as they relate to agriculture.

Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)

See also: Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)

Harper has argued against ESG, which refers to an investment or corporate governance approach that involves considering the extent to which corporations conform to certain standards related to environmental, social, and corporate governance issues (such as net carbon emission or corporate board diversity goals) and making business and investment decisions that promote those standards. Agricultural commissioners have the authority to use their investigative and enforcement powers to scrutinize the effects of financial practices on the agricultural sector, write letters to financial institutions requesting information on their policies and practices, and issue regulations related to fertilizer usage, agricultural fuel usage, and rural electrification.

Letter opposing ESG practices at financial institutions

Harper joined eleven agricultural commissioners from other states on January 29, 2024, in writing a public letter to the CEOs of six large banks, including J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, opposing their ESG commitments.

The letter argued that the financial institutions’ commitments to implementing Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) policies could restrict credit access for farmers and coerce agricultural producers into changing their farming practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The officials said such changes would increase costs in the agricultural sector, reduce the availability of food, drive up consumer prices, and eliminate jobs in the industry.

The letter requested additional information related to the banks’ ESG commitments, including details on how the banks intended to promote NZBA’s carbon emissions targets for the agricultural sector.

Noteworthy events

Decision to self-quarantine for coronavirus on March 19, 2020

See also: Political incumbents, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with COVID-19 or quarantined due to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020

Harper, along with his Georgia State Senate colleagues, entered self-quarantine after State Sen. Brandon Beach tested positive for coronavirus.

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture 2023-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Georgia State Senate District 7 2013-2023	Succeeded by Nabilah Islam Parkes (D)