Texas agriculture commissioner: GOP could pay price for data center push

( NewsNation ) — Republican farmers have long supported President Trump but are expressing concern over his recent announcement of an $8 billion relief plan .

The program aims to help American farmers cope with record-high diesel prices that have forced farms to spend an estimated $5 billion more on fuel than last year. One U.S. agriculture official said payments will likely arrive closer to the end of the year, after the midterm elections.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told NewsNation that Republicans could lose in the upcoming midterm elections because of rapid data center development, criticizing Gov. Greg Abbott for not taking a stronger stance against the projects.

Miller said Republicans have stopped focusing on the issues Texas voters care about.

“Basically, we’ve just quit listening to the people, and we’re gonna pay for it this election,” he said.

“Eighty percent of people don’t want a data center in their backyard,” the official added.

Speaking on behalf of Texas farmers, Miller also commented on Trump’s recent farmer relief program .

“We don’t want a handout … but if it comes right down to filing bankruptcy and not being able to feed our families, we’ll take it,” he said.

The commissioner pointed to growing challenges facing Texans in agriculture.

“Highest diesel prices we ever paid, highest fertilizer prices. It’s tough out here making a living in agriculture,” Miller told NewsNation.

American farmers are facing price drops of 40 percent to 50 percent for major crops while spending significantly more on diesel as the war in Iran continues.

The longtime Trump supporter also voiced frustration with recent moves by the administration.

“I still support President Trump, but he needs to get some new advisers because it’s not working,” he said.

Miller also criticized the administration’s reduction of tariffs on imported beef.

“We have to be food independent,” the official said.

NewsNation also spoke with Missouri farmer Will Westmoreland about the growing trend of farmers abandoning Trump.