Mike Teets entry into the race to replace Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass did not surprise anyone. But his abrupt departure four days before the deadline to withdraw caught his supporters and Republican leaders by surprise.
A greater surprise [maybe] came last night when he endorsed Walt Helmick in the five person Democratic primary. The only way to describe the reaction was disbelief and disappointment.
This whole thing is strange. It is known Helmick requested a meeting with Teets just days after Commissioner Douglass announced he would not seek re-election. Rumor has it that Teets made clear to Helmick he planned to run – and considered his 2008 race to be an investment for 2012.
Teets and his loyal supporters spent the summer of 2011 preparing for the race. He filed pre-candidacy papers, developed campaign tools, in October issued a formal announcement and filed for the office January 24, 2012.
Is there a quid pro quo here? It will take Helmick’s election to get that answer. Then again we may never know what caused this turn of events.