Johnston, IA, August 31, 2012 - The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed 72 state and federal candidates for the 2012 elections. Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC decisions are made by a bipartisan committee of ICGA farmer-members who consider candidates based only on their support of ICGA policies. Candidates are evaluated on corn policies such as ethanol, transportation, environment, farm bill, taxes, trade, and value-added agriculture, including livestock.
"Agricultural policy is critical to the future of our farming operations. The Iowa Corn PAC supports our leaders who have demonstrated their support for ICGA policy positions and priorities," said Mark Recker, a farmer from Arlington, Iowa, and Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC chair.
ICGA PAC decisions are made through an objective analysis including candidate responses to our survey, voting records, letters and other quantified evidence of support. The ICGA PAC committee members include farmers from across Iowa, with an equal balance of party affiliation to ensure decisions are based only on corn growers` policies.
Endorsements for the 2012 federal election cycle include Congressman Leonard Boswell (D), Congressman Bruce Braley (D), Congressman Steve King (R), Congressman Tom Latham (R), and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D).
The Iowa Corn PAC also endorsed 67 candidates for the Iowa State Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives for the 2012 election cycle.
For Iowa Senate (13): Merlin Bartz (R), Jerry Behn (R), Thomas Courtney (D), Jeff Danielson (D), Dick Dearden (D), Joni Ernst (R), Randy Feenstra (R), Mike Gronstal (D), Shawn Hamerlinck (R), Tim Kapucian (R), Brian Schoenjahn (D), Steve Sodders (D), and Mary Jo Wilhelm (D).
For Iowa House of Representatives (54): Dwayne Alons (R), Chip Baltimore (R), Clel Baudler (R), Josh Byrnes (R), Dennis Cohoon (D), Peter Cownie (R), Dave Deyoe (R), Cecil Dolecheck (R), Jack Drake (R), Greg Forristall (R), Joel Fry (R), Julian Garrett (R), Pat Grassley (R), Bob Hager (R), Chris Hall (D), Curt Hanson (D), Mary Ann Hanusa (R), David Heaton (R), Bill Heckroth (D), Lisa Heddens (D), Lee Hein (R), Dan Huseman (R), Ron Jorgensen (R), Anesa Kajtazovic (D), Jerry Kearns (D), Dan Kelley (D), Jarad Klein (R), Kevin Koester (R), Bob Kressig (D), Jim Lykam (D), Mary Mascher (D), Kevin McCarthy (D), Helen Miller (D), Brian Moore (R), Dan Muhlbauer (D), Patrick Murphy (D), Steve Olson (R), Kraig Paulsen (R), Ross Paustian (R), Brian Quirk (D), Henry Rayhons (R), Walt Rogers (R), Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D), Thomas Sands (R), Renee Schulte (R), Jason Schultz (R), Jeff Smith (R), Mark Smith (D), Chuck Soderberg (R), Roger Thomas (D), Linda Upmeyer (R), Matt Windschitl (R), John Wittneben (D) and Gary Worthan (R).
Funding for contributions to candidates from the Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC comes only from voluntary PAC donations by ICGA members. ICGA dues money cannot be used for PAC contributions.
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