Gary Black

Gary Ward Black (born August 20, 1958) is an American farmer and politician from the U.S. state of Georgia. A Republican, he previously served as Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia from 2011 to 2023, having been first elected in 2010. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Georgia in 2022.

Agricultural career Black received a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education from the University of Georgia. He spent 40 years in the farm business and is a cattle farmer in Jackson County, specifically in Commerce. Until his 2010 campaign for agriculture commissioner, Black's primary job was president and lobbyist for the Georgia Agribusiness Council, He had previously held positions at the Georgia Farm Bureau. Black was twice reelected agriculture commissioner by large margins.

After Hurricane Michael hit South Georgia, Black was a leading voice pushing for federal relief. and the Clean Water Rule (also called the Waters of the United States rule), which Black called "wretched" (the rule was ultimately revoked by the Trump administration).

Black is a supporter of Donald Trump. At the time, Black criticized federal power, especially agricultural regulations. In announcing his Senate run, Black said he intended to rely on his name recognition from prior statewide elections, strong base of rural support, and staunch Trump support. Many of Black's largest campaign contributors were from Georgia agribusiness. During his campaign, Black took conservative stances Donald Trump endorsed another candidate, Herschel Walker, in the Republican primary.

Electoral history

Personal life He is married to Lydia Black and they have two children.