Ag groups endorse candidates – but one withholds nod in First District

Randy Demmer, Tim Walz

Farm groups have released their endorsements for the November election, with gubernatorial candidates Tom Emmer and Mark Dayton garnering an endorsement apiece from two big ag organizations. And although it’s a heavily agricultural district, the right-leaning Minnesota Farm Bureau has declined to endorse anyone in Minnesota’s First Congressional District.

The Minnesota Farmer’s Union gave Dayton the nod for governor. “Sen. Dayton is a known and trusted ally to rural Minnesota and farmers, and he can be counted on to be a strong advocate for agriculture,” president Doug Peterson said in a statement.

The group, which is traditionally progressive-leaning, also endorsed Rep Tim Walz in August.

The Minnesota Farm Bureau, which trends conservative, failed to make any endorsement in the First District, overlooking Republican candidate and former farmer Randy Demmer. According to a spokesperson for the bureau, they will not be making an endorsement in the district this year.

Only one DFLer got the bureau’s nod, Rep. Collin Peterson, who chairs the House Ag Committee. Others receiving endorsements include Reps. John Kline, Michele Bachmann and Erik Paulsen, as well as James Oberstar’s GOP opponent Chip Cravaack.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer also got the endorsement of the Farm Bureau. He released this statement on Thursday:

“As governor, I will work to relieve the regulatory and tax burdens on our farmers, highlight the impact of our rural economy on the overall state economy, and engage local leaders to identify partnerships that will build stronger rural communities. I will also explore opportunities to enhance regional partnerships which will allow the private sector to grow and prosper in an ever-changing global economy.”