With the retirement of Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), we already knew we’d see a new chairperson of the Senate Agriculture Committee, regardless of which party wins control.
But with the defeat yesterday of U.S. Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN), the House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee will also have new leadership.
Peterson represented western Minnesota, and he was soundly defeated by Michelle Fischbach by about 15 percentage points.
The Democrats are expected to retain control of the House, although they look to have lost a handful of seats, which will close their margin to about 30 seats.
In the Senate, as of this morning, each party has 47 seats, so it’s unclear which will control.
In its agriculture committee, Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for United Fresh Produce Association BB #:145458, said Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) is the ranking member for the Democrats, and would likely become chairwoman if the party controls the Senate.
On the Republican side, Guenther said Senator John Boozman (R-AR) would likely move up to chair the committee if his party controls the Senate.
As of this morning, the presidential race remains undecided.
