In the Aug. 6 primary, 78 of Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) Friends of Agriculture were successful and will now focus their campaign efforts on the Nov. 5 general election.
“Our 96% success rate in the primary can be attributed in part to the work our county Farm Bureau candidate evaluation committees do to provide well thought out recommendations to our political action committee, AgriPac,” said MFB election expert Matt Kapp. “We’re sending congratulations to our victorious Friends of Agriculture and look forward to supporting them going into the general election.”
U.S. Senate results
While MFB did not endorse any U.S. Senate candidates ahead of the primary, the organization will host the two successful candidates — Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D) and former Rep. Mike Rogers (R) — at a private Aug. 15 interview forum.
Select county Farm Bureau members will hear directly from the candidates looking to replace retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow on how they will work to advocate on behalf of the Michigan food and agriculture industry. A recording will be made available to all members following the event.
U.S. House results
In the Congressional races, incumbents and Friends of Agriculture Reps. Jack Bergman and Bill Huizenga defeated their primary challengers, and Reps. John Moolenaar, Tim Walberg, Debbie Dingell, Lisa McClain and John James won their uncontested races.
AgriPac-endorsed former state representative and Sen. Tom Barrett (R) won his uncontested primary and will face off against state Sen. Curtis Hertel in the general election race for the 7th U.S. House seat. In the 8th U.S. House race, AgriPac-endorsed Mary Draves was surpassed by fellow Republican Paul Junge.
State House results
Overwhelmingly positive results for MFB’s Friends of Agriculture who are actively farming or have previous agricultural experience. The following candidates will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot and continue their bid for election or reelection to the Michigan House of Representatives:
- Jennifer Wortz, a Branch County Farm Bureau member, is running for the 35th House District (all of Branch and Hillsdale counties and the city of Hudson in Lenawee County).
- Cady Ness-Smith, Ingham County Farm Bureau member and member of the MFB Equine Advisory Committee, is running for the 77th House District (portions of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties, including Lansing, DeWitt and Watertown Township).
- Rep. Rachelle Smit, an Allegan County Farm Bureau member, seeks reelection to the 43rd House District (most of Allegan County and portions of Barry, Eaton and Ottawa counties).
- Rep. Sarah Lightner, a Jackson County Farm Bureau member, looks to again represent the 45th House District (portions of Calhoun and Jackson counties).
- Rep. Luke Meerman, an Ottawa County Farm Bureau member, seeks reelection to the 89th House District (portions of Ottawa and Muskegon counties).
- Rep. Bryan Posthumus, a Kent County hops farmer, looks to again represent the 90th House District (portions of Kent County).
- Rep. Jerry Neyer, an Isabella County Farm Bureau member, seeks reelection in the 92nd House District (Isabella County and a portion of Gratiot County).
- Rep. Greg Alexander, a Sanilac County Farm Bureau member, seeks reelection in the 98th House District (Huron County and portions of Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola counties).
- Parker Fairbairn, an Emmet County Farm Bureau board member, is running for the 107th House District (All of Charlevoix and Emmet counties and portions of Cheboygan, Chippewa, and Mackinac counties).
See how other State House Friends of Agriculture candidates fared.
Nov. 5 general election
MFB’s AgriPac will meet again in September to make additional endorsements ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.
Offices set to appear on the general election ballot include President, U.S. Senate, Congress (13 seats), Michigan Supreme Court (two seats), MSU Board of Trustees (two seats), Michigan House of Representatives (110 seats) and numerous county and township positions.
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