ALBIA, IOWA (March 15, 2019) — Beto O’Rourke, former Texas Congressman and newly-announced presidential candidate, made a visit to an ethanol plant in rural Iowa on one of his first stops as he courts caucus-goers. O’Rourke toured Big River Renewables LLC, an ethanol plant in West Burlington, Iowa, on Friday morning. “I want to thank Congressman O’Rourke for including in his first trip to Iowa an ethanol plant tour in a rural community and showing he seriously intends to learn about issues that are important to the economic well-being of rural America,” said Focus on Rural America Chair Patty Judge. Judge has formerly served Iowa as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Agriculture. “If Democrats are going to be successful in taking back the White House, our candidates need to include rural America in their outreach. I’m glad to see that O’Rourke visited Big River in West Burlington to see first-hand the innovation taking place and the impact biofuels have on jobs, the environment, and our economy.” O’Rourke is the first Democratic candidate to visit an ethanol plant. As candidates consider the 2020 elections, engaging with rural voters and supporting policies important to rural communities will be critical.
Focus on Rural America is a nonprofit organization aimed at boosting progressive causes and organizations by developing and promoting economic messages that resonate in rural America.
