Austin Kelly

Austin Kelly earned a high school diploma from Breckenridge High School. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree and a Ph.D. in ecology from Texas A&M University. Kelly's career experience includes working as an environmental consultant.[1]

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Bringing Real Scientific Expertise to Texas Agriculture. Unlike career politicians, I am a scientist and a practitioner. As a PhD candidate in Ecology at Texas A&M and an independent ecological consultant, I have spent my career on the ground—surveying public lands, mapping rare species, and helping private landowners manage their habitats for wildlife and agricultural tax valuations. I understand the biological and ecological realities that Texas farmers and ranchers face daily. I am running to ensure that the Texas Department of Agriculture is guided by sound science, practical field experience, and data-driven decision-making, rather than partisan politics or bureaucratic whims.Unwavering Defense of Private Property Rights. I believe that property rights are the foundation of a free society. As a Libertarian and a proponent of Objectivist philosophy, I hold that individuals should be free to manage their land and their lives without government interference. My work with private landowners across Texas has shown me the burden of excessive regulation. I will steadfastly defend Texans against federal overreach and state-level micromanagement. whether it involves water rights, land use, or conservation efforts. My goal is to empower landowners to be the best stewards of their property by removing the regulatory shackles that prevent them from thriving.Limited Government and Fiscal Responsibility. The government should be limited, efficient, and focused solely on protecting individual rights. I am committed to shrinking the size of the state bureaucracy and cutting wasteful spending within the Department of Agriculture. I believe in free-market principles where Texas agriculture succeeds through innovation, competition, and individual initiative—not through government handouts or restrictive licensing. I will fight to lower the barrier to entry for small farmers and independent producers, ensuring that the free market, not the government, picks the winners and losers in our agricultural economy.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about Food Freedom and Agricultural Deregulation. I believe Texans have the right to buy and sell farm products directly—whether it’s raw milk, unprocessed meat, or cottage foods—without the state acting as a restrictive intermediary. I want to dismantle the regulatory barriers that stifle small family farms to favor large corporate interests.

Secondly, I am deeply committed to Private Land Stewardship. As an ecologist, I know that private landowners are the best conservationists. I will fight against eminent domain abuse and federal overreach into Texas water and land rights. Finally, I advocate for ending corporate subsidies. Agriculture should thrive on market demand and innovation, not on taxpayer-funded handouts.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Organizations:

Libertarian Party of Texas

ARK Ecological Consulting

Libertarian Booster PAC

Individuals:

Wes Benedict - Author & Former National LP Executive Director

Wes Benedict - Author & Former National LP Executive Director

Dr. Kathryn Herin - Veterinarian - Bandera, TX

Jake Bonnell - Rangeland Management Specialist - Midland, TX

Clyde Garland - Brazos County District Clerk Libertarian Candidate

Brad & Lacy Carriger - Pecan Factory Managers - Comanche, TX

Jeri Snyder - IT Project Manager - Breckenridge, TX

Ronnie McKay - Retired Oil & Gas Project Manager - Breckenridge, TX

David & Kathy Petty - Retired Teachers - Comanche, TX

Kailey Scheriger - Sidney, TX