NEW WILLARD, Texas. Hunting trophies line the knotty pine walls of the former Loco Feed Mill building, just outside Livingston. On Sunday, October 11, Kevin and Lisa Sailer opened their building to Polk County neighbors, who grabbed donuts and pulled up folding chairs under a mounted bull elk to meet Nate Sheets, the Republican nominee for Texas Agriculture Commissioner.
Local officials in the crowd included Livingston Mayor-elect Andy Evans and his wife, Allison, and Polk County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Cassity.
The New Willard visit was one of several East Texas stops that day on Sheets’ “Texans Should Feed Texans” bus tour. Coldspring came earlier, and a second Livingston stop and Groveton followed. The tour has more than 60 stops. It began October 2 in Bonham and ends November 2 in Waco, the day before the general election.
Donuts, boots and plain talk
A crowd came in starched button-downs, felt hats, overalls and ball caps. There were ranchers, small business owners, families and a few teenagers. Guests filled red, white and blue paper plates with donuts and found spots along the walls or at card tables. Campaign caps were stacked on a counter near the door.
There was no podium. Sheets stood in front of the room and talked with the crowd the way neighbors talk at a feed store, then took questions from the room. Billy Wayne Cox was among those who asked.
Who is Nate Sheets?
Campaign materials say Sheets is:
| Background | Details |
|---|---|
| Military | U.S. veteran |
| Business | Grew one beehive in his mother’s backyard into Nature Nate’s, which the campaign calls the nation’s number one honey brand |
| Ministry | Spent more than a decade in full-time ministry |
| Platform | Clean food and “MAHA” principles; keeping Texas food production in Texas hands |
Before the bus rolled on to its next stop in Livingston, the group gathered outside for a photo in front of the campaign bus, its side covered with signatures under the words “Sign the Bus.”
Still time to catch the tour
The bus heads to Crockett, Palestine and Rusk on Monday, October 12. Check the campaign website for times.
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. 936 Insider covers community events across East Texas and welcomes event submissions from every campaign.