He attended Texas A&M University in College Station and graduated magna cum laude in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics.
[8][9] Representing the largest oil and national gas state in the nation, Staples implemented a multi-faceted approach to educate voters and elected officials on the industry's operations, commitments and contributions including regular communications with the media, educational events, speaking engagements across Texas and robust digital outreach efforts.
[10][11] During his tenure, Staples has led several bipartisan efforts, including the creation and funding of TexNet Seismic Monitoring Program at the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology and the creation of the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition, an industry-led effort to reduce methane emissions in oil and natural gas operations.
Despite personal scandal surrounding Nixon, Staples held the seat for the Republican Party, having received more than 60 percent of the vote in the general election.
Staples was unopposed for the Republican nomination for Agriculture Commissioner in 2006 when the incumbent Susan Combs instead was elected Texas Comptroller to succeed Carole Strayhorn.
[20][5] Staples explained that in his role as commissioner he is compelled to tell the story of agricultural success: "It's up to us to engage with consumers because we know there are those who do not appreciate the work that's being done and what that means for available and affordable food supply.
Though Staples enlisted baseball great Nolan Ryan as his campaign chairman, he finished third in the primary for lieutenant governor with 235,981 votes (17.8 percent).