Jim Hightower

Jim Hightower – Life, Activism, and Influence

Discover the life of Jim Hightower — Texas populist, activist, writer, former Agriculture Commissioner, radio commentator, and champion of consumers, farmers, and working families.

Introduction

James Allen “Jim” Hightower (born January 11, 1943) is an American progressive political activist, syndicated columnist, radio commentator, and author.

Hightower has long been a prominent voice for populist politics—speaking up for farmers, working families, consumers, and environmental protections. His style merges humor, Southern wit, and blunt moral clarity. Over his decades of public engagement, he has influenced discourse on corporate power, democracy, and grassroots activism.

Early Life and Background

Jim Hightower was born in Denison, Texas, a working-class town near the Oklahoma border.

While at the University of North Texas, Hightower was active in student government—he served as freshman class senator, then sophomore class president, and eventually as student body president.

He later did graduate work in international affairs at Columbia University in New York City.

Early Activism & Pre-Political Career

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Hightower built experience in Washington, D.C.:

• He served as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas.

• He co-founded the Agribusiness Accountability Project (circa 1970–1975), focusing on criticism of corporate power in food and agriculture systems.

• Around 1976, he became national coordinator of Fred Harris’s presidential campaign (a progressive/populist Democrat).

• Back in Texas, he took editorial leadership at The Texas Observer, a longstanding progressive journal.

These roles deepened his critique of corporate influence, regulatory capture, and the marginalization of rural and working communities.

Political Office: Texas Agriculture Commissioner

In 1982, Hightower ran for and won the office of Texas Agriculture Commissioner, unseating the incumbent Reagan V. Brown. January 1983 and served two terms, ending January 1991.

As Commissioner, some of his notable policies and focuses included:

• Promoting organic and alternative crops and supporting small farmers.

• Strengthening pesticide regulation, farmworker protections, and marketing strategies for locally grown produce.

• Encouraging efficient irrigation and water use in agriculture.

During his tenure, an ethical scandal involving three of his aides (Mike Moeller, Pete McRae, and Billie Quicksall) surfaced—they were convicted of bribery tied to campaign contributions from seed dealers under departmental oversight. While Hightower was not implicated, it harmed his political standing.

In 1990, he lost re-election to Rick Perry, who later became Governor.

Activism, Media, & Public Engagement

After leaving office, Hightower focused increasingly on public commentary, activism, and journalism:

• He launched Hightower Radio, a daily two-minute syndicated commentary.

• He publishes a monthly newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown, which is known for investigative reporting and progressive commentary.

• He distributes syndicated columns through Creators Syndicate.

• He gives hundreds of speeches annually and conducts a “Rolling Thunder Chautauqua Tour” to bring grassroots populist dialogue to communities across the country.

His work across media has aimed to cut through corporate and political spin and bring an alternative populist framing to national issues—on economy, environment, consumer rights, and democracy itself.

Ideas, Style, & Influence

Populist Philosophy

Hightower often argues that the real political spectrum in the U.S. is “top-to-bottom,” meaning the divide is between powerful elites and ordinary people, rather than the conventional left-right axis.

He frames his activism as working for the “powers-that-ought-to-be” rather than the entrenched powers.

He frequently uses humor, folksy sayings, and metaphor. One of his better known quips:

“There’s nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos.”

Another:

“Do something. If it doesn’t work, do something else. No idea is too crazy.”

Media & Reach

He has been called “America’s #1 Populist.” Wittliff Collections at Texas State University in San Marcos.

He has also taken public stances on environmental issues, consumer protection, corporate accountability, and more recently, climate change and energy equity.

He endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2016 presidential race and became involved with the Our Revolution movement.

Books & Publications

Some of Hightower’s notable works include:

• Hard Tomatoes, Hard Times: A Report of the Agribusiness Accountability Project (1972)

• Eat Your Heart Out: Food Profiteering in America (1975)

• There’s Nothing in the Middle of the Road but Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos (1997)

• If the Gods Had Meant Us to Vote, They’d Have Given Us Candidates (2001)

• Thieves in High Places: They’ve Stolen Our Country—And It’s Time to Take It Back (2003)

• Let’s Stop Beating Around the Bush (2004)

• Swim Against the Current: Even a Dead Fish Can Go With the Flow (2008)

These books combine reportage, political critique, and advocacy.

Notable Quotes

• “There’s nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos.”

• “Do something. If it doesn’t work, do something else. No idea is too crazy.”

• “The opposite for courage is not cowardice, it is conformity. Even a dead fish can go with the flow.”

• “Democracy is not something that happens … just at election time … It’s an ongoing building process.”

• “But, as my mother used to tell me, two wrongs don’t make a right. But I soon figured out that three left turns do.”

These reflect his populist sensibility, mixing humor, moral clarity, and encouragement to act.

Legacy & Lessons

Jim Hightower’s enduring influence lies in his role as a bridge between grassroots movements and national discourse. He reminds us:

1. Populism can be constructive. He treats it not as a demagogic tool, but as a democratic corrective to elite capture.

2. Voice matters. Over decades, his commentary has provided a counterpoint to corporate media and elite consensus.

3. Persistence over popularity. He seldom won higher office after Texas, but his influence often grew outside formal power.

4. Public writing as activism. Through radio broadcasts, newsletters, and books, he makes activism sustainable.

5. Humor & humility help. His use of folksy language and self-aware tone makes complex politics accessible.

Whether or not one agrees with all his positions, Hightower stands as a living exemplar of a career forged in citizen advocacy, unafraid to challenge power, and dedicated to keeping alive the populist tradition in American politics.