For the first time since serving in office, Minnesota First District Congressman Tim Walz (DFL-Mankato) has been endorsed by the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation PAC, according to a news release issued by the ag membership group on Monday.
The MFBF PAC had declined to endorse in the First in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
The group, considered by many to be the more conservative of the two major farmer groups in the state, also endorsed Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson (DFL-Detroit Lakes) over state senator Torrey Westrom.
According to a November 2012 article by Sam Robinson at the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting, Farm Bureau a big player in election campaigns:
Traditionally, regardless of state, Farm Bureaus tend to be more conservative and endorse far more Republicans than Democrats.
This trend can be seen with a review of the “Friend of Farm Bureau Award” list. This recognition is awarded to members of Congress who are Farm Bureau friendly. The vast majority are Republican.
. . .in Minnesota, there was a break in tradition this year [2012] when that federation came out with an endorsement of Democrat Amy Klobuchar for U.S. Senate. She too had a track record of advocating for agriculture producers in her state. Both Klobuchar and Stabenow won re-election.
Both Democrats had been endorsed earlier by the Minnesota Farmers Union PAC.
Disclosure: Bluestem's editor is a member of the Minnesota Farmers Union, serving on the Policy Committee for 2013-2014.
Photo: Congressman Tim Walz at FarmFest. Via Walz' congressional site.
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Also endorsed Democrat Jay Sieling in 8B - not incumbent Republican Mary Franson.
Posted by: Sue Engstrom | Aug 20, 2014 at 09:38 AM