MANHATTAN – The farmers and ranchers of the state’s leading agriculture advocacy organization today announced their endorsement of Tracey Mann for the 1st District Kansas seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Jake LaTurner for the 2nd District Kansas seat in the U.S. House, and incumbent Rep. Ron Estes in Kansas’ 4th U.S. House District.

The formal endorsement came from Kansas Farm Bureau’s (KFB) Political Action Committee, Voters Organized to Elect Farm Bureau Friends (VOTE FBF), comprised of active farmer/rancher members elected by their peers from each of KFB’s 10 geographic districts. 

The KFB endorsement process began earlier this year with individual recommendations from the grassroots autonomous county Farm Bureau organizations in the 63 counties that comprise the 1st U.S. House District, the 25 counties that make up Kansas’ 2nd U.S House district, and the 17 counties that comprise the 4th District.

There were clear majorities from county Farm Bureau organizations in each U.S. House district in support of Mann, LaTurner and Estes. 

“Tracey Mann will be an outstanding Congressman for the Big First District,” says Richard Felts, a Montgomery County farmer who serves as president of Kansas Farm Bureau. “His experience as Lt. Governor, combined with his deep understanding of rural Kansas and our short and long-term challenges and opportunities, make Tracey Mann the clear choice this year.” 

“As a 6th-generation Kansan, Jake LaTurner has an innate feel for the meaning and importance of agriculture and the family farm,” Felts adds. “As a state senator and as state treasurer, Jake has gained invaluable experience in moving and shaping public policy. As our congressman, he will hit the ground running in Washington, D.C.”

“During his time on the Hill, Congressman Ron Estes has proven himself to be a genuine friend of the farmer,” says Felts. “Ron Estes’ brand of leadership continues to gain him respect and influence, as shown by robust grassroots support from county Farm Bureau organizations in south-central Kansas. We look forward to his re-election.”  

Given the unique circumstances that will likely surround this year’s elections, Kansas Farm Bureau is also utilizing its grassroots network to encourage its members – and all Kansans – to strongly consider advance balloting.

Any registered voter can vote by mail prior to Election day. To vote by mail, voters are encouraged to contact their county election officer and request an advance ballot application.

To learn more about VOTE FBF, visit www.kfb.org/votefbf.

Members of the press are invited to join a call with KFB President Rich Felts, Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner and Rep. Ron Estes at 11 a.m. Friday, May 1. To join, please dial 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID: 916 9934 7357 or call the backup number, 346-248-7799, and enter the same meeting ID: 916 9934 7357.

Kansas Farm Bureau's mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

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