Agriculture will see some big changes after the 2020 election, especially in the leadership of the House and Senate Ag Committees. House Ag Chair and Democrat Collin Peterson of Minnesota was defeated by Republican Michelle Fishbach. Syngenta Sr. Lead of Federal Government Relation’s and Washington policy expert Mary Kay Thatcher says the entire ag community is mourning Congressman Peterson’s loss.
She says the chairmanship of the House Ag Committee is now up for grabs. Seniority falls with Representatives David Scott of Georgia, Jim Costa of California and Marcia Fudge of Ohio.
Thatcher says the Senate Ag Committee and its leadership will also change with Kansas Senator Pat Roberts retiring. Senator John Boozman of Arkansas will step into that role.
Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan will be the only ag committee leader coming back, since House Ag Ranking Member and Texas Republican Mike Conaway also chose not to run for re-election.
