Ag Leaders Back Ricketts

Agricultural leaders from across the state of Nebraska today voiced their support of Pete Ricketts’ campaign for governor.

 

“Pete is the leader we need to move agriculture forward,” said Dale Spencer of Brewster, a past president of the Nebraska Cattlemen Association.  “He’s demonstrated he’ll not only be a friend and supporter of animal agriculture, he’ll be a promoter and advocate for Nebraska livestock producers.”

 

“Pete understands agriculture is a business,” said Debbie Borg of Allen, a Nebraska Corn Board member.  “As someone with a record of success in business, he knows about risk and making the right decisions for long-term growth.  We need his fresh perspective in Lincoln.”

 

“Pete is the right leader for our state and for the future of agriculture,” said Ken Boswell of Shickley, president of the Nebraska Soybean Association.  “He’s made a concerted effort to gather input from producers across the state, and he’s formulated sound plans to grow agriculture as a business and as an industry. I’m proud to support him in his campaign for governor.”

 

“I support Pete,” said Joel Grams, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers.  “He’s demonstrated that he’s willing to listen and work hard on behalf of farmers and rural communities.  His family is only one generation removed from the family farm; he understands the importance agriculture has not only on our economy but also on our communities.”

 

In last week’s gubernatorial debate, Chuck Hassebrook claimed he had the endorsements of presidents and board chairmen of Nebraska agricultural commodity groups.  He later had to clarify his statement, saying he misspoke and meant to say “past” presidents or chairmen of those groups.

 

Ricketts, at the outset of his campaign, formed a 15-member agricultural advisory team consisting of ag producers and agricultural experts from across the state.  He’s also earned the endorsement of the Nebraska Farm Bureau and the support of the Nebraska Cattlemen PAC.

 

The following list of current and former leaders of Nebraska farm commodity groups are endorsing Ricketts.  The organizations have not endorsed political candidates; the following list reflects the personal endorsements of ag leaders and does not necessarily represent the views of their organizations.

 

Endorsers:

 

J.D. Alexander, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Pilger

Doug Bartek, Nebraska Soybean Association Board Member, Wahoo

Debbie Borg, Nebraska Corn Board Member, Allen

Ken Boswell, Nebraska Soybean Association President, Shickley

Dave Bruntz, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Friend

Homer Buell, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Bassett

Dayton Christensen, Nebraska Wheat Growers Association Past President, Big Springs

George Cooksley, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Anselmo

Nathan Dorn, Nebraska Soybean Association Secretary, Hickman

Larry Flohr, Nebraska Wheat Board Member, Chappell

Chuck Folken, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Leigh

Dennis Fujan, Nebraska Soybean Association Vice President, Prague

Joel Grams, Nebraska Corn Growers Association President, Minden

Shane Greving, Nebraska Soybean Association Board Member, Chapman

Tom Hansen, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, North Platte

Dave Harrington, Nebraska Pork Producers Association Past President, St. Paul

Brandon Hunnicutt, Nebraska Corn Board Member, Giltner

Alan Janzen, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Henderson

Von Johnson, Nebraska Wheat Board Chairman, Cambridge

Robert Johnston, Nebraska Soybean Association Treasurer, Clearwater

Eric Kamler, Nebraska Corn Growers Association State Director, Geneva

Dave Merrell, Nebraska Corn Board Vice Chair, St. Edward

Shane Meyer, Nebraska Pork Producers Association Past President, Diller

Jim Miller, Nebraska Soybean Association ASA Director, Belden

Scott Olser, Nebraska Wheat Growers Association Board Member, Elsie

Randon Peters, Nebraska Wheat Growers Association Board Member, McCook

Kevin Peterson, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Board Member, Osceola

Jim Ramm, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Atkinson

Jay Reiners, Nebraska Corn Growers Association Board Member, Juniata

Scott Richert, Nebraska Soybean Association Board Member, Gresham

Bill Rishel, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, North Platte

Brent Robertson, Nebraska Wheat Board Vice Chair, Elsie

Jeff Rudolph, Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee Chairman, Gothenburg

Geoff Ruth, Nebraska Soybean Association Board Member, Rising City

Craig Safranek, Nebraska Corn Growers Association Board Member, Merna

Todd Schroeder, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Wisner

Carl Sousek, Nebraska Corn Growers Association Board Member, Prague

Dale Spencer, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Brewster

Mark Spurgin, Nebraska Wheat Growers Association Board Member, Paxton

Al Svagjr, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Cozad

Russ Vering, Nebraska Pork Producers Association Board Member, Howells

Greg Whitmore, Nebraska Corn Growers Association Board Member, Shelby

Jay Wolf, Nebraska Cattlemen Past President, Albion

 

Ag Team Members:

 

Ron Coufal, Howells

Mike Henn, Battle Creek

Jon Holzfaster. Paxton

Dan Hughes, Venango

Mike Jacobson, North Platte

Mark Jagels, Davenport

Paul Kenney, Kearney

John Kuehn, Heartwell

Nick Lapaseotes, Bridgeport

Pete Lapaseotes, Bridgeport

Greg Olson, Alliance

Scott Spilker, Beatrice

Alan Tiemann. Seward

Steve Wellman, Syracuse

John Widdowson, Lodgepole

Jaclyn Wilson, Lakeside