By Scout Nelson
As the 2024 election approaches, Governor Tim Walz's selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate aims to strengthen the Democratic Party's connection to rural communities, particularly among farmers. Historically, many farmers have leaned toward the Republican Party, a trend reflected in a recent poll indicating that 46% of rural respondents identified as Republicans, while only 25% claimed to be Democrats.
Minnesota mirrors this national trend, with Greater Minnesota becoming increasingly Republican, while urban areas, such as the Twin Cities, lean Democratic.
This political shift has heightened the importance of farm votes in key swing states with significant agricultural economies, prompting both the Harris-Walz ticket and the Trump campaign to seek farmer support.
Despite the urgency of agricultural issues, the authority of the presidency over agriculture policy is limited. Most farm policy is determined by Congress through a massive five-year farm bill, placing a president in a constrained position regarding agricultural matters.
Furthermore, issues like the economy, immigration, and abortion typically dominate presidential candidates’ agendas, leaving agriculture on the sidelines.
The American Farm Bureau Federation has conducted surveys of presidential candidates for 40 years, including the current cycle. Harris has expressed her administration's intention to combat unfair mergers in the food sector to protect small, family-run operations.
Meanwhile, Trump has portrayed himself as a pro-farmer president, promising to cut energy prices and strengthen federal farm safety net policies.
Trump’s plan includes a controversial tariff initiative, proposing a 20% import tax on all products and 60% on those from China, a move that has raised concerns about potential retaliation that could impact American agricultural exports.
In contrast, Harris’s focus on sustainable farming aligns with growing farmer concerns about climate change.
Both candidates aim to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector. The Harris campaign emphasizes Walz's rural roots and his legislative work to support agricultural initiatives. As the campaign unfolds, the candidates will need to resonate with farmers’ concerns, including trade policies and environmental regulations.
With the agricultural community feeling the pressure of a looming new farm bill and other pressing issues, the candidates’ positions on these topics will be crucial as they seek to gain the support of this vital voter demographic in the upcoming election.
Photo Credit:pexels-sora-shimazaki
Categories: Minnesota, General, Government & Policy, Weather