politics
Though outnumbered, the ‘farm vote’ has a lot of friends
Even in the most agricultural districts of America, farmers are hardly thick on the ground, the result of decades of mechanization and consolidation, which has driven down farm numbers, as well as the United States becoming ever more urban. Nonetheless, the “farm vote,” while small in numbers, is a mighty force in U.S. politics.
Pawlenty won’t run against Senate Ag panelist Smith
Former two-term Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will not run for the Senate this year, “dashing Republican hopes that he would mount a strong bid for Al Franken’s old seat,” said the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Bustos recipe for Democratic success in the Midwest: Bread-and-butter issues
A report co-authored by Rep. Cheri Bustos of Illinois says that “national Democrats must acknowledge and stay focused on the bread-and-butter challenges facing hardworking families” to gain the rural and working-class support vital to winning elections in the Midwest.
With Hatch retiring, will Grassley take the Finance Committee gavel?
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who lists his occupation as farmer, could make a return appearance as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee with the retirement of the current chairman, Orrin Hatch of Utah, says Roll Call.
Trump to be first president to speak at Farm Bureau meeting in 26 years
Breaking a quarter-century gap, President Trump will be the first U.S. chief executive since George H.W. Bush to address the annual convention of the nation’s largest farm organization, the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Pingree mulls run for governor of Maine
Fifth-term Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, a leading advocate in the House for small farmers and farmers’ markets, is considering a run for governor of Maine in 2018, says the Portland Press Herald.
Two Ag panelists among most vulnerable House incumbents
Freshman Republican John Faso and veteran Democrat Rick Nolan, both of whom serve on the House Agriculture Committee, are among the 10 most vulnerable House incumbents a year ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, says Roll Call.
Three House ag panelists’ races are toss-ups; so is House control
The Republican–Democrat battle for control of the House “looks something like a coin flip,” says Sabato’s Crystal Ball, which says three members of the House Agriculture Committee are toss-ups for re-election next year.
Messer joins crowded GOP field to take on Indiana Sen. Donnelly
Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats running for reelection in 2018, and Republicans are lining up to take him on. Rep. Luke Messer, who currently represents Vice President Mike Pence’s former district, is the latest to announce his candidacy.
A narrow winner in 2012, Heitkamp ponders her political future
North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, who won election in 2012 by 2,936 votes, “is staring down an exceedingly difficult reelection campaign in a state where President Donald Trump is beloved,” says Politico in a story headlined, “North Dakota’s last Democrat?”
Perdue endorses former chief of staff to chair Georgia GOP
The first Republican elected governor of Georgia since Reconstruction is backing a key operative in the campaign, John Watson, in a four-way fight for Republican state chairman. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue endorsed Watson in an email that began circulating on Wednesday, saying, "I do not think there is anyone better prepared or positioned to lead our party organization to continuing victories."
Farm groups flex muscle in surprisingly urban “Big First” district of Kansas
Traditionally conservative farm groups, from the Kansas Farm Bureau to the National Association of Wheat Growers, lined up against Rep. Tim Huelskamp, a Tea Party favorite, ahead of today’s Republican primary in the “Big First” congressional district of Kansas.
Farmers worry about national security, support Trump
Whether Republican or Democrat, farmers name "national security" or "terrorism" as the most important issue facing the United States, far outweighing any agricultural issue, says a nationwide survey by Aimpoint Research.
In arid California, farmers punch above their weight
"A water utility on paper," the Westlands Water District in southern California "is a formidable political force" with a $950,000 budget in 2015 for government and political relations, reports the New York Times.
Candidates should talk about the ‘F-word,’ but probably won’t
Political reporters from newspapers in Chico and Sacramento, California, and Reno, Nevada, collaborated on a list of “10 issues that the presidential candidates absolutely need to discuss but probably won’t.” The “F-word” -- as in food -- comes in at number four.
Political diversity grows in often-conservative rural America
A political rule of thumb is that rural America is socially and fiscally conservative, so Republicans fare well in rural districts. "Voting trends in this vast area are far from monolithic," say two University of New Hampshire researchers, who say there are important pockets of Democratic strength and they are gaining population.
As rural moves right, Democrats face obstacles
Book-ending the Daily Yonder's data on Republicans winning a larger share of the rural vote in the mid-term election, political analyst Matt Barron says Democrats face problems ranging from poor recruitment of candidates...
Rural voters shifted toward Republicans, like rest of US
Rural Americans, often socially and fiscally conservative, tend to vote at higher rates for Republicans than the nation overall. This year, when the country leaned Republican, the rate went up in rural areas too, says the Daily Yonder.