Rick Pate of Lowndesboro and Gerald Dial of Lineville both seek the Republican Party’s nomination as the Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in the upcoming July 17 run-off election.

In the primary election, Pate led with 40 percent of the vote.

Whoever wins this run-off will automatically be named the commissioner. There is no Democratic candidate.

Pate is an agri-businessman born and raised in Lowndes County.

He is the owner of Pate Landscape in Montgomery and employs over 25 people. He currently is the mayor of Lowndesboro, and has served since 2005. Pate also operates Pate Charolais Ranch, a working cattle farm and breeding operation.

Pate’s political service also includes Vice Chairman of the Lowndes County Republican Party and a member of the ALGOP executive committee.

Pate also is involved in numerous civic positions including Rotary Club, Associated General Contractors, Alabama Agribusiness Council, Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of Alabama and The River Region United Way.

Pate is a 1978 graduate of Auburn University’s School of Agriculture. He is married and has two sons.

Dial has served as chairman of several committees and has enjoyed accolades for his service. He has been recognized as a pro-business and pro-jobs legislator, and is a leader for education reform being the lead senator in tort law reform.

Dial and his wife live in Lineville. His wife is a retired schoolteacher and graduate of Livingston University and holds a master’s degree from Jacksonville University. They are members of Lineville Baptist Church and have two children.