By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Friday, July 21, 2017, US Senator Luther Strange (R) hosted US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue in Alabama in order to listen to concerns from farmers regarding the 2018 Farm Bill.
Secretary Perdue addressed a packed room of farmers and agriculture industry leaders from across the State.
Sen. Strange said. “We don’t need a translator for Sonny (Purdue is a former governor from Georgia), he speaks our language, he’s our neighbor and he understands the needs represented in this room. He has a strong background in farming and President Trump could not have picked a better person to lead the USDA during a time that farmers are hurting across the country. I’m proud to the voice for Alabama farmers on the Ag Committee, especially as we work hard with Secretary Perdue and other Trump administration officials on this Farm Bill so that is so critical for our State.”
Secretary Purdue said, “I appreciate the invitation from Senator Strange to hear from Alabama farmers about real issues that matter. Luther is already standing tall in the US Senate and on the Agriculture Committee, and I don’t mean that just literally,” said Perdue. “He has a direct line to me, which means that you do as well. Never assume your voice doesn’t matter, because it does. I’ve committed to farmers here and across the country that we want the USDA to be a real partner in the productive capacity of our great American agriculture system.”
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said, “Secretary Perdue was raised on a farm, has worked in agriculture and understands the importance of farming and forestry to our economy. It was a honor to have him visit with our county presidents and state board members on issues important to their farms and our state’s economy. We appreciate Sen. Strange serving on the Senate Ag Committee and using his influence to bring Secretary Perdue, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts to Alabama this summer. Having these men visit our state and hear from our farmers will make a difference when they’re in Washington working on policies that affect Alabama agriculture.”
Perdue and Strange also accompanied Parnell to Corte Farms, a row crop and sod farm in Daphne, to speak with farm owner Jay Corte and Baldwin County Farmers Federation President Hope Cassebaum, and inspect damage created by recent Tropical Storm Cindy.
Strange was appointed to the Senate by former Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) after Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) was confirmed as U.S. Attorney General. Strange is seeking to win election to the office in this year’s Special Election.
Strange has been endorsed by the Alabama Farmer’s Federation.
Nine Republicans are running for the US Senate seat. They include: James Paul Beretta, Joseph F. Breault, Randy Brinson, Mo Brooks, Mary Maxwell, Roy Moore, Bryan Peeples, Trip Pittman, and Luther Strange.
Seven Democratic candidates are running in the US Senate Special Primary Election. Qualified candidates are Will Boyd, Vann Caldwell, Jason Fisher, Michael Hansen, Doug Jones, Robert Kennedy, Jr., and Charles Nana.
Dom Gentile (R) and Brian McGee (D) both dropped out of the race on Monday.
The Special Major Party Primaries are on August 15, 2017. The major party runoffs will be on September 26, 2017. The Special General Election will be on December 12, 2017.
Hash Tags: special election, Senate, Luther Strange, Alabama Farmer’s Federation, Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture, Jay Corte, Baldwin County, Ag Committee, USDA
