We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Terms and Cookie Policy
Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Friday, November 22, 2024
The 117th Congress is officially underway with the swearing in of new members Sunday. The House includes a number of new members who could play a role in shaping food and agriculture policy, considering its importance to their districts.
The House will have several newcomers in key ag districts as voters elected new representatives in Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, Texas and other states with Republican challengers defeating incumbent Democrats.
The battle over control of the Senate could pivot on several Republican farm-state seats. Democrats’ hopes to expand their House majority could be shaped by whether they can hold onto rural districts they carried in 2018 and pick off some GOP incumbents.
Collin Peterson, facing the toughest re-election race of his career, is banking on voters not wanting to lose his clout and experience, but the House Agriculture Committee chairman is up against both a well-funded GOP challenger and President Donald Trump, whose campaign is "all in" for winning Minnesota.
Former Minnesota Lt. Gov. Michelle Fischbach easily won the GOP nomination to challenge Rep. Collin Peterson this fall, but the House Agriculture Committee chairman starts with a financial advantage.
Tuesday is another big day in the race for congressional seats critical to Congress. Republicans in Minnesota 7th District will pick a Republican challenger to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson.
Many people in agriculture — both Republicans and Democrats — are working to get House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson re-elected, but he's still being coy about his plans to run again in his western Minnesota district, which is now rated a toss-up.
