Ryan Eyes Race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner

Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan said in a published report today he is considering trying to topple Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower in next year’s state elections.

Baseball’s all-time strikeout leader told the Houston Post that he could mount a race while pitching another season for the Rangers.

The 42-year-old Ryan, before taking the mound against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday night, told the newspaper he could play and campaign at the same time, but he has yet to decide whether he will pitch, seek office or both in 1990.

The Allen, Tex., rancher publicly expressed interest in seeking statewide office as early as 1985. He said he was approached last week by the Texas Farm Bureau about running against Hightower.

Ryan said he and his wife, Ruth, met with Farm Bureau officials for several hours last Friday in Arlington.

“We had some preliminary discussions and I’m considering it,” Ryan told the newspaper.

Ryan would neither discuss his feelings about Hightower’s job performance nor when he would decide whether to make the race.

“I really don’t have a timetable,” he said.

Ryan said he probably would run as a Republican.