Is Texas Farm Bureau’s AGFUND Still Relevant?
Vince Leibowitz | Oct 02, 2008 | Comments 2
Since 2004 when it endorsed Republican Randy Neugebauer (R-Lubbock) over longtime agribusiness ally Congressman Charlie Stenholm (D-Abilene)–who happened to be the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee–a lot of Texas politicos have been wondering exactly what the folk at the Texas Farm Bureau’s AGFUND are thinking.
Some were able to forgive the political action arm of the Texas Farm Bureau for its idiotic 2004 endorsement of Neugebauer. Perhaps they saw the political winds changing and simply didn’t want to be on the wrong side of the aisle. Although it wasn’t an endorsement that strictly in the best interest of agribusiness in Texas, it was, to a degree, understandable.
There was more head shaking in 2006 when AGFUND not only begged then-Sen. Todd Staples (D-Palestine) to enter the race for Agriculture Commissioner but later endorsed him in spite of the fact that he was a leading supporter of the Trans-Texas Corridor and the National Animal Identification System. Staples opponent, Hank Gilbert (D-Troup) opposed the TTC and NAIS. (Incidentally, the Farm Bureau has been
accused of selling out the very people it is supposed to represent on NAIS.) The TTC, of course, could destroy millions of acres of family farms across Texas. Sure, Gilbert may have been somewhat of a longshot, but how would endorsing Staples further the issues of importance to family farmers in Texas?
This year, the Texas Farm Bureau’s list of endorsements cause many to wonder whether or not the Farm Bureau’s AGFUND–once a true powerhouse, especially in rural districts–is really relevant any more on the Texas political scene.
Among the AGFUND’s questionable endorsement this year are U.S. Senator John Cornyn, Republican Tim Kleinschmidt (R-LaGrange) in Texas House District 17 House District 55 where AGFUND endorsed Ralph Sheffield over Sam Murphy, and a host of other endorsement that go to Republicans like State Rep. Myra Crownover (R-Denton) who aren’t friends of agriculture. Not only that, but it appears that AGFUND, in many open seat races, didn’t even have the gut to endorse. AGFUND issued no endorsement in House District 101 where Robert Miklos (D-Mesquite) faces Republican Mike Anderson; no endorsement in House District 78 where Joe Moody (D-El Paso) faces Dee Margo (R-El Paso) for Pat Haggerty’s open seat; and no endorsement in House District 112 where Sandra VuLe (D-Richardson) face Angie Chen Button (D-Garland).
Isn’t AGFUND abdicating it responsibilities here by its strategy of simply going for incumbent protection, protecting the power of the Republican Party, and playing it safe when it comes to open seats?
And, since when has John Cornyn been a friend of agriculture?
Is AGFUND still relevant? I suppose we’ll find out on November 4.
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Filed Under: 2008 Texas Elections • Featured
The Farm Bureau talks about the family farmer, but all they are is a rich insurance company. You mentioned Stenholm, how about Glasgow out of Stephenville years ago and they went with Jane Nelson whose only experience in farm life was a trip thru the produce section of the local grocery store.
I don’t remember Glasgow, but I do remember the issue with Jane Nelson. I can’t believe I’d forgotten it until you mentioned it. But, don’t you mean that her only experience with farm life was sending her maid to the produce section?