Revenge of the farm bill
Four farm bill skeptics – Republicans Eric Cantor, Steve Southerland, Pat Roberts and Mitch McConnell – are having an ample share of electoral trouble, writes David Rogers at Politico. Cantor, the former House majority leader, was defeated in his Virginia primary election. Southerland, Roberts and McConnell face strong challenges in the general election. Politico notes there are unique factors in each race and the farm bill is a minor issue, if at all. Still, given the prominence of the four lawmakers “something almost mystical, like Mother Nature, is going on here,” writes Rogers, before quoting an unnamed lawmaker as saying, “I don’t know how to explain it but I sure hope you write it.”
Politico also says, “The GOP’s political machine is kicking into overdrive” to see Roberts to re-election to the Senate in Kansas. The effort ranges from rounding up campaign money to sharpening the campaign against Independent Greg Orman.
First-term Rep David Valadao, a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture, “would appear to be a favorite to hold on to his seat,” says a SurveyUSA poll for KFSN-TV in Fresno, Calif. SurveyUSA says its poll of 439 likely voters shows Valadao, a Republican, with 56 percent and Democrat Amanda Renteria with 37 percent and 7 percent undecided. Renteria is a former chief of staff for Senate Agriculture chair Debbie Stabenow.