Posted on Wed, Jun. 14, 2006

email this

print this

reprint or license this

Weathers wins GOP nod for agriculture chief

By JIM DuPLESSIS

jduplessis@thestate.com

Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers defeated Saluda County farmer William Bell in the Republican primary Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

Weathers’ victory sets up a Nov. 7 general election contest with Democrat Emile DeFelice, who was unopposed in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Weathers, 49, said he will continue to emphasize programs to allow farmers to raise corn or other crops for ethanol to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported oil and to raise profits for S.C. farmers.

Weathers campaigned on both his experience as a farmer and a businessman. He owns a dairy in the eastern Orangeburg County community of Bowman and a trucking business that hauls milk for about 30 area farms.

“My experience and approach to running a business will be a clear difference” between himself and DeFelice, Weathers said.

DeFelice, 38, is a Columbia resident who raises hogs in Calhoun County for pork he sells directly to high-end restaurants. He wants to use the office to create more opportunities for farmers to sell their goods locally.

“Some farmers do really great,” he said, “but most farmers do really horribly in the new agricultural economy.”

The campaign was Weathers’ first for the office. He was appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford on Sept. 14, 2004, after the resignation of Charlie Sharpe, who pleaded guilty to extortion after taking a $10,000 bribe to protect a cockfighting organization.

The agriculture commissioner serves a four-year term, is paid $92,007 per year and oversees an agency with about 130 employees and a $4.6 million budget.

Reach DuPlessis at (803) 771-8305.