Former U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell, a staunch supporter of Michigan agriculture, died Sunday after a bout with stage IV renal cancer, his wife confirmed in a statement to CNN. He was 64.
Mitchell of Dryden served two terms for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, deciding not to run for re-election in 2020, the year he left the Republican party.
Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski called Mitchell a longtime supporter of agriculture.
Mitchell received the American Farm Bureau Federation's Friend of the Farm Bureau Award in 2019 due to his support of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, and the 2018 Farm Bill.
“Paul was a person who didn’t always take the path that was most popular: He was very loyal to the members of his district and especially agriculture. Paul was a friend who reached out many times to understand where agriculture was on an issue even if it didn’t affect ag,” Bednarski said.
“He cared about our members then — when our farmers struggled through prevent plant and trade issues in 2019. Today, we send prayers and condolences to his wife, Sherry, and their children.”
In 2019, Mitchell told Michigan Farm News, “You solve problems by working with the other party to come up with things that look like they’re generally going to solve a problem.”
Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Midland) understood that relationship better than most people.
“Today, I mourn the loss of my friend and colleague, and I offer my condolences to Paul’s wife Sherry and their entire family,” Moolenaar said in a statement.
“Paul and I competed against one another, but we also quickly became friends, and I will always be grateful for his friendship and service to our nation. He always stood up for his beliefs, especially as the leader of the School Choice Caucus, and he worked hard to do what was right for Michigan families. I am heartbroken by Paul's passing and know he will be greatly missed.”
Similarly, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Mitchell served as a “fierce, independent voice for Michiganders.”
According to wife Sherry, Mitchell went to D.C. to “give people the ability and power (to) decide their own path.”
“I am immensely proud of him and never more so than when he was the lone voice in a sea of politicians who cared more about power than the true definition of the office,” she said in a statement.
“When he remained the lone voice and ignored the threats from those claiming to be his friends.”