Wisconsin farmers back Baldwin in first statewide Democratic endorsement in 20 years

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation endorsed Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) for reelection, marking the first time the group has supported a Democrat for statewide office in two decades.

In a swing of bipartisan endorsements, the WFBF endorsed Baldwin as well as Reps. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI). The WFBF is the largest general farm organization in the state.

“Wisconsin Farm Bureau looks forward to working with Senator Baldwin, Representative Van Orden and Representative Tiffany as they work on behalf of Wisconsin farmers,” WFBF President Brad Olson said in a statement .

“Each have demonstrated strong support for policies that tackle the critical challenges faced by farmers and the agricultural industry, including securing crop insurance, expanding policies that open up markets for American agricultural products and advancing agricultural research and innovation,” Olson continued.

Baldwin said she was proud to be endorsed by the WFBF.

"The hardworking men and women of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation have my word that I’m going to keep fighting to ensure Wisconsin agriculture remains a top priority in Washington," Baldwin said in a statement after receiving the endorsement.

The WFBF endorsed Baldwin, who is running for her third term in the Senate, over her Republican challenger, businessman Eric Hovde .

Baldwin has maintained her popularity with the rural and farm vote in the state, frequently campaigning in areas that Democrats view as lost to former President Donald Trump.

“I might not have met every farmer, but I think I found over time that word gets out,” Baldwin said at a campaign event near Eau Claire last month.

In its endorsement, the WFBF highlighted Baldwin’s work in the agricultural sector during her time in Congress.

As Wisconsin’s official state slogan is “America’s Dairyland,” and it leads the country in cheese production, the group hailed Baldwin's efforts on the Dairy Pride Act. The bill was introduced in 2023 to the Senate and was aimed at protecting dairy products as nondairy products rise in popularity. The legislation would prohibit the sale of any food that uses the market name of a dairy product unless the food is the milk of a hooved animal, is derived from that milk, or contains such milk as a primary ingredient.

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WFBF also praised Baldwin's work on the 2018 Farm Bill, in which Baldwin was able to aid dairy operations in growing their businesses and deliver mental health support to farmers.

The WFBF also endorsed Reps. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Jay Grothman (R-WI), and Bryan Steil (R-WI). All three representatives were honored with the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award by the American Farm Bureau Federation.