Incumbent Republican Steve Troxler will serve a third term as state agriculture commissioner, after winning by more than 6.5 percentage points over Democrat Walter Smith.

Troxler touted his department’s efforts advancing food safety, increasing popularity of the N.C. State Fair, and working with businesses to increase exports. Republican legislators have moved in the last two years to expand the reach of Troxler’s department, adding duties that used to belong to the state environment agency.

Smith, a poultry farmer in Yadkin County and former U.S. Department of Agriculture employee, said he would improve food and consumer safety, and would put greater emphasis on marketing.