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'{{short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Todd Staples | image = <!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[File:Texas_Ag._Commissioner_Todd_Staples.jpg|thumb|center|Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples]] --> | order = | office = 11th [[Texas Department of Agriculture|Texas Agriculture Commissioner]] | term_start = January 4, 2007<ref>{{cite web|title=Looking back|url=/proxy/https://www.palestineherald.com/news/looking-back/article_8846d601-d325-5e75-98fa-fb444a93b022.html|website=Palestine Herald|date=29 December 2007 }}</ref> | term_end = November 16, 2014 | preceded = [[Susan Combs]] | succeeded = [[Sid Miller (politician)|Sid Miller]] | governor = [[Rick Perry]] | state_senate2 = Texas | district2 = [[Texas Senate, District 3|3rd]] | term_start2 = January 9, 2001 | term_end2 = January 4, 2007 | preceded2 = [[Drew Nixon]] | succeeded2 = [[Robert Nichols (Texas politician)|Robert Nichols]] | state_house3 = Texas | district3 = 11th | term_start3 = February 17, 1995 | term_end3 = January 9, 2001 | preceded3 = [[Elton Bomer]] | succeeded3 = [[Chuck Hopson]] | office4 = Member of the [[Palestine, Texas|Palestine]] City Council | term_start4 = 1989 | term_end4 = 1991 | birth_name = Douglas Todd Staples | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|8|24}} | birth_place = [[Anderson County, Texas]], U.S. | party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | spouse = {{marriage|''Unknown''|end=divorce}}{{marriage|Janet Wendel Thorn|1994}} | children = 4 | alma_mater = [[Texas A&M University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]]) | occupation = [[Real estate]], [[ranching]] }} '''Douglas Todd Staples''' (born August 24, 1963)<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/general/senate/senateaddr.shtml| title = State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election| access-date = 2006-12-26| date = 2002-09-13| author = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080213232650/http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/general/senate/senateaddr.shtml| archivedate = 2008-02-13}}</ref> is the President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing all facets of the industry including production, pipelines, refineries and export facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hiller |first=Jennifer |date=April 12, 2018 |title=Texas Power Broker Staples moves from agriculture to oil |url=/proxy/https://www.expressnews.com/business/business_columnists/texas_power_brokers/article/Texas-Power-Broker-Staples-moves-from-agriculture-12812829.php |url-status=live}}</ref> Staples is the former two-term [[Texas Commissioner of Agriculture]] and served with distinction in the Texas Senate and House of Representatives for 12 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Legislative Reference Library of Texas |date=Accessed October 18, 2024 |title=Todd Staples |url=/proxy/https://lrl.texas.gov/legeleaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=%20%2062#committee |url-status=live}}</ref> He unsuccessfully ran for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[nomination]] for [[Lieutenant Governor of Texas|lieutenant governor]] in 2014. On September 18, 2014, Staples announced that he would resign by mid-November to become president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, following a controversy surrounding his views on a "Meatless Monday" campaign being adopted by some Texas schools.<ref> {{cite news|access-date=September 18, 2014 | url = http://dallas.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/09-10-14-texas-agriculture-commissioner-todd-staples-meatless-monday-upset-editorial/| title = Texas ag commissioner belly aches about Meatless Monday program| first=Teresa | last=Gubbins | publisher=CultureMap Dallas |date=September 15, 2014}}</ref> ==Background== Staples was reared in Palestine, the [[county seat|seat of government]] of his native [[Anderson County, Texas|Anderson County]] in [[East Texas]]. He graduated from [[Palestine High School (Texas)|Palestine High School]], where he was an active member of the [[Future Farmers of America]]. While in college, he served from 1981 to 1982 as state vice-president of the FFA. He attended [[Texas A&M University]] in [[College Station, Texas|College Station]] and graduated magna cum laude in 1984 with a [[Bachelor of Science]] in [[Agricultural Economics]].<ref name=csconf/> He started a [[nursery (horticulture)|plant nursery]] and later became involved in [[cattle]] [[ranching]] with his family. He also owned a [[real estate]] business. For a time, he was an instructor at [[Trinity Valley Community College]] in Palestine. Staples has two adult children from his first marriage, which ended in divorce.<ref>{{cite news|url=/proxy/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/texas/article/Despite-experience-Staples-still-defining-5236931.php|title=Peggy Fikac, "Despite experience, Staples still defining himself for voters," February 14, 2014|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=February 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=/proxy/http://www.easttexasnews.com/Obituaries/Obituaries_Courier/September2011/September2011.html|title=Frank Lee Wendel|publisher=easttexasnews.com|access-date=February 23, 2014}}</ref> Staples is a [[Southern Baptist]] [[deacon]] in his local church. ==Leading the Texas Oil & Gas Association== After a national search, Staples was selected to lead the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA) in 2014 because of his broad range of experience and leadership capabilities, according to the TXOGA Board of Directors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Accessed October 18, 2024 |title=Staples to step down as commissioner of agriculture |url=/proxy/https://tylerpaper.com/news/local/staples-to-step-down-as-commissioner-of-agriculture/article_76cc1658-eed1-5ff5-9b02-0f96b1812168.html |website=Tyler Morning Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Malewitz |first=Jim |date=September 18, 2014 |title=Staples Leaving Ag Commissioner Post Early to Head Oil and Gas Association |url=/proxy/https://www.texastribune.org/2014/09/18/sources-staples-head-oil-and-gas-association/ |website=Texas Tribune}}</ref> Representing the largest oil and national gas state in the nation, Staples implemented a multi-faceted approach to educate voters and elected officials on the industry’s operations, commitments and contributions including regular communications with the media, educational events, speaking engagements across Texas and robust digital outreach efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Andrew |date=September 18, 2014 |title=Staples Leading TXOGA through centennial celebration |url=/proxy/https://www.bicmagazine-digital.com/bic/october_2019/MobilePagedReplica.action?pm=2&folio=8#pg8 |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Bic Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas - State Energy Profile Overview |url=/proxy/https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=TX |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=EIA}}</ref> During his tenure, Staples has led several bipartisan efforts, including the creation and funding of TexNet Seismic Monitoring Program at the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology and the creation of the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition, an industry-led effort to reduce methane emissions in oil and natural gas operations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Najmabadi |first=Shannon |date=November 24, 2017 |title=New state-funded sensors are tracking earthquakes across Texas |url=/proxy/https://www.texastribune.org/2017/11/24/website-tracks-tremors-across-state/ |url-status=live |website=Texas Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Carolyn |date=September 21, 2021 |title=Texas Oil, Gas Operators Using Innovations to Reduce Flaring, Methane Emissions |url=/proxy/https://naturalgasintel.com/news/texas-oil-gas-operators-using-innovations-to-reduce-flaring-methane-emissions/ |url-status=live |website=Natural Gas Intelligence}}</ref> He created regional Energy Summits featuring leaders like the Mayor of Houston and the President of Nasdaq and an annual Energy Elevated Technology Showcase to highlight industry innovation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Estrada |first=Rachel |date=September 27, 2024 |title=2024 TXOGA Houston Energy Summit Features Houston Mayor John Whitmire, NASDAQ President Nelson Griggs, and TXOGA President Todd Staples |url=/proxy/https://cw39.com/the-cw39-houston/2024-txoga-houston-energy-summit-features-houston-mayor-john-whitmire-nasdaq-president-nelson-griggs-and-txoga-president-todd-staples/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=CW39}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Estrada |first=Rachel |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Texas TXOGA Hosts Energy Elevated Technology Showcase in San Antonio |url=/proxy/https://cw39.com/the-cw39-houston/texas-txoga-hosts-energy-elevated-technology-showcase-in-san-antonio/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=CW39}}</ref> During the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Railroad Commission called on Staples to serve in leadership roles to enable Texas to recover from the pandemic’s impact on the economy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2020 |title=Railroad Commission forms task force on oil economic recovery |url=/proxy/https://www.mrt.com/business/oil/article/Railroad-Commission-forms-task-force-on-oil-15216866.php |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Midland Reporter-Telegram}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Exarheas |first=Andreas |date=April 23, 2020 |title=TXOGA Leader Appointed to Governor Strike Force |url=/proxy/https://www.rigzone.com/news/txoga_leader_appointed_to_governor_strike_force-23-apr-2020-161863-article/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Rigzone}}</ref> He serves as an expert witness for the Texas Legislature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Gilbert |date=May 5, 2024 |title=TXOGA President Todd Staples & Chief Economist Dean Foreman Testify at Hearing of House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports |url=/proxy/https://texasinsider.org/articles/txoga-president-todd-staples-and-chief-economist-dean-foreman-ph-d-testify-at-hearing-of-house-select-committee-on-protecting-texas-lng-exports |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Texas Insider}}</ref> ==Political career== Staples served on the [[non-partisan]] Palestine City Council from 1989 to 1991. In February 1995, he was elected to the [[Texas House of Representatives]] District 11 seat in a [[special election]] to replace [[Elton Bomer]], who had been appointed state [[Texas Department of Insurance|insurance commissioner]] by newly elected [[Governor of Texas|Governor]] [[George W. Bush]]. In a contest against two [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], Staples avoided a runoff by about sixty votes, having collected 50.6 percent of the vote. In 2000, Staples entered the race for the [[Texas Senate, District 3|District 3]] seat in the [[Texas Senate]], vacated by [[Drew Nixon]]. Despite personal scandal surrounding Nixon, Staples held the seat for the Republican Party, having received more than 60 percent of the vote in the general election. He represented [[Anderson County, Texas|Anderson]], [[Angelina County, Texas|Angelina]], [[Cherokee County, Texas|Cherokee]], [[Hardin County, Texas|Hardin]], [[Henderson County, Texas|Henderson]], [[Jasper County, Texas|Jasper]], [[Nacogdoches County, Texas|Nacogdoches]], [[Newton County, Texas|Newton]], [[Polk County, Texas|Polk]], [[Sabine County, Texas|Sabine]], [[San Augustine County, Texas|San Augustine]], [[San Jacinto County, Texas|San Jacinto]], [[Shelby County, Texas|Shelby]] and [[Tyler County, Texas|Tyler]] counties, and portions of [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery]] and [[Smith County, Texas|Smith]] counties. In the Senate, Staples was the chairman of the Transportation & Homeland Security Committee, the Workers Compensation Select Interim Committee and the Texas Senate Republican Caucus. Staples sponsored and helped to pass a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. He was the vice-chair of the State Affairs Committee and the Veteran Affairs & Military Installations Committee. Staples was unopposed for the Republican nomination for Agriculture Commissioner in 2006 when the [[incumbent]] [[Susan Combs]] instead was elected [[Texas Comptroller]] to succeed [[Carole Strayhorn]]. Staples defeated Democrat Hank Gilbert and Libertarian Clay Woolam in the [[Texas general election, 2006|November 7, 2006, general election]]. He received 2,307,406 votes (54.77 percent), a margin of 547,000 votes over Gilbert.<ref>{{cite web|url=/proxy/http://www.burntorangereport.com/tag/Jeff%20Weems|title=Texas Roundup|publisher=burntorangereport.com|access-date=October 12, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=/proxy/https://web.archive.org/web/20100102123736/http://burntorangereport.com/tag/Jeff%20Weems|archivedate=January 2, 2010}}</ref> In 2010, Staples ran for re-election as Agriculture Commissioner and won with more than 60 percent of the votes, again against Democrat Hank Gilbert.<ref>{{cite web |url=/proxy/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |title=Archived copy |access-date=2006-12-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=/proxy/https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |archivedate=2014-01-09 }}</ref><ref name=csconf>{{cite news|url=/proxy/http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_ba65417b-3aa0-58f7-9b81-9405192e7908.html|title=Beth Brown, Agriculture commissioner says industry isn't getting message across|newspaper=[[Bryan-College Station Eagle]]|access-date=June 6, 2013}}</ref> Staples explained that in his role as commissioner he is compelled to tell the story of agricultural success: "It's up to us to engage with consumers because we know there are those who do not appreciate the work that's being done and what that means for available and affordable food supply."<ref name=csconf/> Staples was recognized by Texas A&M University as an accomplished public servant and enthusiastic champion for rural Texas and was noted for protecting consumers by initiating an unprecedented sweeping investigation into fraudulent operators of convenience stores suspected of defrauding unaware buyers of fuel. He partnered with then-Attorney General Gregg Abbott, who obtained a jury verdict of $30 million against a Houston-based owner of convenience stores.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry - Todd Staples |url=/proxy/https://tytimm.tamu.edu/staples-todd-d/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Texas A&M University}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2008 |title=Gas stations accused of cheating customers |url=/proxy/https://abc13.com/archive/6278487/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=ABC 13 News}}</ref> On September 18, Staples announced his resignation to become the president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. ==2014 primary for lieutenant governor== Though Staples enlisted baseball great [[Nolan Ryan]] as his campaign chairman, he finished third in the primary for lieutenant governor with 235,981 votes (17.8 percent).<ref name=incollegestation>{{cite news|url=/proxy/http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/article_eb860364-bdde-543d-9554-7f4622c89351.html|title=Beth Brown, "GOP lieutenant governor candidates reach out to Bryan-College Station voters," January 9, 2013|newspaper=Bryan-College Station Eagle|access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref><ref name=electionresults>{{cite web|url=/proxy/https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar04_169_state.htm?x=0&y=3948&id=969|title=Republican primary election returns, March 4, 2014|publisher=team1.sos.state.tx.us|access-date=March 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=/proxy/https://web.archive.org/web/20140307051116/https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/mar04_169_state.htm?x=0&y=3948&id=969|archivedate=March 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=/proxy/https://www.txoga.org/texas-oil-gas-association-welcomes-robust-oversight-experts-railroad-commission/|title=Texas Oil & Gas Association Welcomes Robust Oversight by Experts at the Railroad Commission|date=August 22, 2016|publisher=Texas Oil and Gas Association|access-date=February 22, 2017}}</ref> ==Positions== ===Same-sex Marriage=== In 2003, Staples sponsored a bill that prohibited the State of Texas from recognizing same-sex marriages, then again in 2005, sponsored and campaigned for another bill that successfully amended the Texas Constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman. ==Electoral history== ;2014 {{Election box begin no change | title= 2014 Texas Lieutenant Governor Republican Primary Election}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (US) |candidate = [[Dan Patrick (politician)|Dan Patrick]] |votes = 550,769 |percentage = 41.45 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (US) |candidate = [[David Dewhurst]] ([[Incumbent]]) |votes = 376,196 |percentage = 28.31 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (US) |candidate = Todd Staples |votes = 235,981 |percentage = 17.75 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (US) |candidate = [[Jerry E. Patterson|Jerry Patterson]] |votes = 165,787 |percentage = 12.47 }} {{Election box end}} ;2010 Texas general election, 2006: Texas Commissioner of Agriculture[4] Party Candidate Votes % -Republican Todd Staples 2,9573,406 60.82% -Democratic Hank Gilbert 1,738,456 35.79% -Libertarian Clay Woolam 164,035 3.37% Turnout 4,856,266 ;2006 {{Election box begin | title=[[Texas general election, 2006]]: [[Texas Commissioner of Agriculture]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2006 General Election | access-date = 2007-01-02 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | archivedate = 2014-01-09 }}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party= Republican Party (US) | candidate = Todd Staples | votes = 2,307,406 | percentage = 54.77 | change = -4.77 }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party= Democratic Party (US) | candidate = [[Hank Gilbert]] | votes = 1,760,402 | percentage = 41.79 | change = +3.97 }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party= Libertarian Party (US) | candidate = [[Clay Woolam]] | votes = 144,989 | percentage = 3.44 | change = +2.26 }} {{Election box majority | votes = 547,004 | percentage = 12.98 | change = -8.74 }} {{Election box turnout | votes = 4,212,797 | percentage = | change = -4.85 }} {{Election box hold with party link no swing | winner = Republican Party (US) }} {{election box end}} ;2002 {{Election box begin | title=[[Texas general election, 2002]]: [[Texas Senate, District 3|Senate District 3]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2002 General Election | access-date = 2007-01-01 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | archivedate = 2014-01-09 }}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party= Republican Party (US) | candidate = Todd Staples | votes = 119,993 | percentage = 88.23 | change = +27.59 }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party= Libertarian Party (US) | candidate = [[Michael Carter (Texas politician)|Michael Carter]] | votes = 16,001 | percentage = 11.76 | change = +11.76 }} {{Election box majority | votes = 103,992 | percentage = 76.47 | change = +55.18 }} {{Election box turnout | votes = 135,994 | percentage = | change = -45.92 }} {{Election box hold with party link no swing | winner = Republican Party (US) }} {{election box end}} ;2000 {{Election box begin | title=[[Texas general election, 2000]]: [[Texas Senate, District 3|Senate District 3]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2000 General Election | access-date = 2007-01-01 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | archivedate = 2014-01-09 }}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party= Republican Party (US) | candidate = Todd Staples | votes = 152,514 | percentage = 60.64 | change = +10.55 }} {{Election box candidate with party link | party= Democratic Party (US) | candidate = [[David Fisher (Texas politician)|David Fisher]] | votes = 98,976 | percentage = 39.36 | change = -10.55 }} {{Election box majority | votes = 53,538 | percentage = 21.29 | change = +21.10 }} {{Election box turnout | votes = 251,490 | percentage = | change = +20.88 }} {{Election box hold with party link no swing | winner = Republican Party (US) }} {{election box end}} ;2000 {{Election box begin no party | title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] primary, 2000: [[Texas Senate, District 3|Senate District 3]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2000 Republican Party Primary Election | access-date = 2007-01-01 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | archivedate = 2014-01-09 }}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate no party with winner | winner = | candidate = [[Van Brookshire]] | votes = 4,875 | percentage = 11.08 | change = }} {{Election box candidate no party with winner | winner = | candidate = [[Les Tarrance]] | votes = 8,816 | percentage = 18.05 | change = }} {{Election box candidate no party with winner | winner = ✓ | candidate = Todd Staples | votes = 20,367 | percentage = 70.15 | change = }} {{Election box majority no party | votes = 21,522 | percentage = 52.10 | change = }} {{Election box turnout no party | votes = 29,183 | percentage = | change = }} {{election box end}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Portal bar|Biography|Texas|Politics|Conservatism|Education}} ==External links== * [http://www.toddstaples.com/ Campaign site] {{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Susan Combs]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Texas Department of Agriculture|Agriculture Commissioner of Texas]]|years=2006, 2010}} {{s-aft|after=[[Sid Miller (politician)|Sid Miller]]}} {{s-par|us-tx-hs}} {{TXHouseSuccession box | district = 11 | hometown = Palestine | before=[[Elton Bomer]] | after=[[Chuck Hopson]] | years=1995&ndash;2001}} {{s-par|us-tx-sen}} {{s-bef | before= [[Drew Nixon]]}} {{s-ttl | title= [[Texas Senate|Texas State Senator]]<br />from&nbsp;[[Texas Senate, District 3|District&nbsp;3]] ([[Palestine, Texas|Palestine]]) | years= 2001&ndash;2007}} {{s-aft | rows=1 | after=[[Robert Nichols (Texas politician)|Robert Nichols]] }} {{Succession box |title=[[Texas Agriculture Commissioner]] |before=[[Susan Combs]] |after=[[Sid Miller (politician)|Sid Miller]] |years=2007-2014}} {{s-end}} {{Agriculture Commissioners of Texas}} {{Portal|Biography}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Staples, Todd}} [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Palestine, Texas]] [[Category:Politicians from Austin, Texas]] [[Category:Texas A&M University alumni]] [[Category:Republican Party Texas state senators]] [[Category:Republican Party members of the Texas House of Representatives]] [[Category:Texas city council members]] [[Category:Agriculture commissioners of Texas]] [[Category:Ranchers from Texas]] [[Category:Farmers from Texas]] [[Category:Baptists from Texas]] [[Category:21st-century American politicians]]'