Hugh Weathers
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Hugh Weathers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Agriculture Commissioner of South Carolina | |
| Assumed office September 14, 2004 | |
| Governor | Mark Sanford Nikki Haley Henry McMaster |
| Preceded by | Charles Sharpe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 27, 1956 Bowman, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Blanche Weathers |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of South Carolina (BS) |
Hugh Weathers is an American politician from South Carolina. He serves as South Carolina's Commissioner of Agriculture. He has held the position since September 14, 2004. Weathers is a member of the Republican Party.
Weathers is from Bowman, South Carolina, where he grew up on Weathers Farms, a 2,000-acre (810 ha) dairy farm.[1] He graduated from Bowman Academy as its valedictorian.[2] He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from the University of South Carolina in 1980, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.[3]
Weathers joined the family dairy business in 1980.[3] He and his brother, Landry, inherited the farm.[4]
Commissioner of Agriculture
Weathers was appointed by Governor Mark Sanford on September 14, 2004, to be the commissioner of agriculture after the incumbent commissioner, Charles Sharpe, had been accused of illegal cockfighting, lying to investigators, extortion, and money laundering.[5][6] Weathers won the following election in 2006.[7][a]
As commissioner of agriculture, Weathers sought to expand consumers' access and reliance on local produce. In 2006, Weathers oversaw the creation of the branding "Certified SC Grown" to highlight produce grown in South Carolina.[9] Weathers also advocated to increase the economic impact of the department to $50 billion by 2020.[10]
Weathers won reelection in the 2022 general election with 77.6% of the vote, defeating Green Party candidate David Edmond.[11] Weathers indicated that this will be his final term in office.[12]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Hugh Weathers (incumbent) | 1,085,139 | 77.6% | |
| Green | David Edmond | 213,219 | 15.3% | |
| United Citizens | Chris Nelums | 95,625 | 6.8% | |
| Total votes | 1,398,392 | 100% | ||
