DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Farm Bureau PAC designated U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, State Senator Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, and former U.S. Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, a “friend of agriculture” in their respective races.
“Candidates earn the Friend of Agriculture designation by supporting issues that directly impact Iowa’s agricultural economy,” said Erik Oberbroeckling, a Clayton County farmer and IFBF PAC Chair. “With one in every five Iowans employed in agriculture and ag-related industries, it is essential to have strong advocates for agriculture representing Iowa.”
Ernst welcomed the endorsement.
“As someone who grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa and spent my entire life fighting for family farms, it’s a true honor to receive this endorsement of the Iowa Farm Bureau,” she said. “Unlike my opponent Theresa Greenfield, who is supported by liberal coastal environmentalists advocating for policies that would hurt Iowa, I will always put farmers first.”
Ernst’s campaign pointed out that Greenfield does not support the rollback of the Waters of the U.S. rules implemented by the Obama administration. They also note Greenfield’s campaign is backed by individuals and groups that support the Green New Deal.
Feenstra, the Republican nominee in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, was endorsed over his Democrat opponent J.D. Scholten.
“I am truly honored to earn the endorsement of the farm families of the Iowa Farm Bureau,” Feenstra said. “In the Iowa Senate, I’ve led on numerous efforts to protect the RFS and reduce taxes, regulations and litigation that hurt our farmers. In Congress, I’ll continue standing shoulder to shoulder with our farmers to deliver trade deals, tax reductions and regulatory reforms that allow our farmers to feed and fuel our country. I’ll also fight to stop job-killing environmentalist schemes like the Green New Deal that will raise taxes and utility bills for our farmers and our families.”
Iowa Farm Bureau selected Young over incumbent U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Iowa Farm Bureau board, county Farm Bureau organizations, and the thousands of Iowa farmers and their families this represents,” Young said. “Agriculture is our heritage and a huge part of our economy here in Iowa. I have and will continue to advocate and fight for our farmers and rural communities.”
“In my two terms in Congress, I fought for our farmers and ranchers, from pushing back on President Obama’s Waters of the U.S. rule, to advocating for year round E-15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard. On the Agriculture Subcommittee on Appropriations, I ensured rural America and Iowa’s agricultural priorities were funded and not ignored and left behind. I passed legislation signed into law from improving call quality for our rural communities to ensuring the safety of the food fed to our families. I look forward to serving our farmers, rural communities, and all Iowans in the Third Congressional District again, here at home and in the U.S. Congress,” he added.
Iowa Farm Bureau PAC did not announce endorsements in Iowa’s 1st or 2nd Congressional District races.