Agricultural News
In Oklahoma- It's Mighty RED Out There- Plus Voters Kill State Questions Rather Easily
Wed, 04 Nov 2020 06:13:34 CST
At the Federal and State levels in Oklahoma- it seemed to be a good night for Republicans and not so much for Democrats on Tuesday after the polls closed in 2020 November General elections. .
Two years ago, Republican Steve Russell was unseated by Democrat Kendra Horn in the Fifth Congressional District but last night it was Congresswoman Horn being unseated after just one term- State Senator Stephanie Bice overcame a huge vote for Horn in the Absentee ballots turned in- and won by over 12,000 votes overall to become the newest member of the Oklahoma Congressional delegation.
The other four Oklahoma House members easily won reelection- former House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas winning with the biggest margin- 78% and change. Lucas issued this statement last night: ""I am deeply honored that my neighbors, my fellow Oklahomans, the voters of the Third District overwhelmingly voted for me to continue to be their voice in Washington, D.C. Whether you're a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, I serve as your voice in Congress- representing all of those who call Oklahoma's Third District home.
"Moving forward, I'll continue to stand up for Oklahoma's agriculture producers, ensuring they have the resources and support they need in order to continue to feed and clothe the world. With more than 28,000 family farms in Oklahoma's Third District, farming is a way of life and it's critical we work to make sure more family farms are thriving- not declining."
Also winning with ease was Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe- who indicated to the media and supporters that this victory would be the start of his last term in the Senate- he does not plan to seek reelection again. Inhofe has served in the Oklahoma congressional delegation since 1994 and is currently the chairman of the Armed Services Committee.
AND in Oklahoma- Voters said NO to both State Question 805 and 814. Two agricultural groups that supported a No vote on 805, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association responded to our inquiry regarding their reaction. President Rodd Moesel of Oklahoma Farm Bureau was happy with defeat of State Question 805- "We appreciate the voters standing up for victims of crime."
OCA's Michael Kelsey also reacted- "The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association is grateful that Oklahomans overwhelming rejected State Question 805. It is just common sense that past criminal behavior be considered in sentencing convicted persons."
In the Oklahoma House- it was also a night of seeing things turn redder. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, issued the following statement upon unofficial election returns showing House Republicans grew their majority from 77 members in the 57th Legislature to 82 members for the 58th Legislature:
"Oklahomans want growth, freedom and conservative government, and their election of the biggest Republican majority in state House history will deliver it. It was encouraging to make gains statewide, from picking up all rural seats for the first time in state history to adding representation in the Oklahoma City area. In 15 years as a majority, House Republicans have focused on building a better business climate, cleaning up state finances, and investing in our future through education, infrastructure and more. We are honored to be asked to continue this successful work by leading with civility, respect and results for the people of Oklahoma."
Nationally- the country won't know who will reside in the White House for the next four years for a another day or so- but we do know that one of the leaders of the House Ag Committee won't be in Washington come 2021. Minnesota Congressman and House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson lost his bid for another two years to former Lt. Governor Michelle Fischbach by almost 50,000 votes- ending his career as one of the few remaining Blue Dog Democrats on Capitol Hill.
His institutional knowledge will be missed as the groundwork for the next farm bill should be happening in the next two years. Of course- it is not just Peterson that will be gone- three of the four leaders of the House and Senate Ag Committees won't be back in 2021- Peterson unseated while top GOP member of the House Ag Committee Mike Conaway has retired while the Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee, Pat Roberts of Kansas, has also retired and won't be back. That leaves just Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan who will be returning in 2021 on the Ag Committees with experience in leading her Committee in developing a Farm Bill. She was on the Senate side as Chair in 2014 when House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas of Oklahoma was crafting the 2014 Farm Law.
Lucas told us again in recent days that he fully intends to reclaim his spot on the House Ag Committee in time for the writing of the House Ag Committee- and his understanding of production agriculture will be sorely needed.
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