Insight Kansas — Choosing Candidates

By GLENN BRUNKOW
Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

I admit it, I am a political junkie, and I have not been able to stop listening to the radio, watching the TV or reading about recent events, all of which can be best described as unprecedented. They are coming fast and furious. I told someone the other day it was like coming up to a wreck on interstate and not wanting to look but not being able to stop myself from looking. All I can say is the election isn’t here yet, so you better buckle up and expect the unexpected.

Speaking of the elections the candidate endorsements by Kansas Farm Bureau’s (KFB) own Voters Organized to Elect Farm Bureau Friends, or VOTE are out. The endorsements are based off candidates’ understanding of agriculture and KFB policy, along with recommendations from members across the state who know the candidates best. The VOTE FBF board met and discussed every candidate running for state or federal legislature before endorsing candidates.

These endorsements are earned, not given. In most cases, candidates have been active in either attending county Farm Bureau events or at least reaching out and communicating with the Farm Bureaus in their district.

If you look at the list, you will also notice both Republicans and Democrats are endorsed. Kansas Farm Bureau is a bipartisan organization, and we work with legislators from both sides of the aisle, therefore party affiliation isn’t one of the metrics VOTE FBF considers when evaluating candidates.

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I encourage everyone to look at the list of endorsed candidates and consider voting for them. It is important that we elect officials who understand the risks and rewards of growing food and how government actions can help or hinder our work. I am sure you have heard many, many times that we are less than 2 percent of the population, and it is important that we work to elect legislators who understand agriculture. Endorsements can be found at www.kfb.org/VOTEFBF.

Beyond that, I encourage all of you to exercise your right and vote in the upcoming primary and general elections. Our great nation depends on participation from all citizens in the process of selecting our government. I also encourage each of you to do your homework and really understand just who it is you are voting for. Also remember districts have changed, so find a map and know what district you are in.

I would hope you also take interest in the local races for county commission or bond issues for schools. Often those decisions have just as much or in some cases more sway over your everyday lives.

The bottom line is casting a ballot is not something we should take for granted. There are many places in the world that do not have that ability. So please, wade through all the rhetoric, hype and sensationalism and get out and vote for the candidates who best represent your beliefs.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.