Rick Pate of Lowndesboro and Gerald Dial of Lineville both seek the Republican Party’s nomination as Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in the upcoming Tuesday, July 17, runoff. Pate led with 40 percent of the vote in the Primary voting.

No one ran for the Democrat’s nomination to this office in the primary.

Pate is an agri-businessman and lifelong Republican. Born and raised in Lowndes County, he owns Pate Landscape in Montgomery and employs over 25 people. He currently is mayor of Lowndesboro, serving since 2005. In addition to his landscape operation, Pate and his family run Pate Charolais Ranch, a working cattle farm and breeding operation.

In addition to being Mayor of Lowndesboro, Pate’s political service includes Vice Chairman of the Lowndes County Republican Party, and member of the ALGOP executive committee. Professional and civic activities include 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 married the former Julie Dismukes, and they have two sons Richard and James. Richard works in the international division of a large construction firm, and James has been accepted to medical school.

Gerald Dial began his career as a teacher and coach at Lineville High School. He also served in the Alabama National Guard retiring after 37 years, served in the House of Representatives and the State Senate for the past 44 years. Dial grew up in rural Alabama, graduated from Lineville High School and Livingston University. He currently serves on the Troy University Board of Trustees and the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Board.

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

Dial and his wife, Faye Bonner Dial, live in Lineville.  She 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 grown children, a daughter, Melanie, a graduate of Auburn University, and a son, Jason, a graduate of the University of Alabama and Jones School of Law.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, July 11 issue of the Demopolis Times.)