The Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance endorses candidates based on their positions on food and agricultural issues, as well as closely related issues such as water rights and use. FARFA’s endorsement does not constitute an endorsement of the candidates’ positions on other issues.

We do not generally endorse in uncontested races (since that would not be meaningful), and only endorse a few candidates in each election cycle. Each time, we have identified candidates running for both of the major political parties to endorse because food transcends party lines, and we have strong allies – as well as enemies – on both sides of the aisle.

Texas 2018 General Election Endorsements

Kim Olson for Texas Agriculture Commissioner

Kim Olson (D) is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel turned farmer. She and her husband raise fruits, vegetables, and pecans sold directly to consumers, as well as restoring native grassland and keeping beehives. Colonel Olson has traveled all over Texas, meeting with farmers and farm advocates to fully understand the issues facing producers from all backgrounds.

FARFA worked with multiple local food & farming organizations to develop a questionnaire on issues of concern for both farmers and consumers. Colonel Olson provided detailed, thoughtful responses that demonstrate that she not only grasps the issues, but is looking for practical, real-life solutions.

You can read Colonel Olson’s responses at https://farmandranchfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Ag-Commissioner-Questionnaire_Kim_Olson.docx.pdf

Her responses to the questionnaire, as well as her list of issue positions on her website, reflect a deep concern for all Texans: farmers, ranchers, and consumers.

(Despite being asked twice, her opponent, Commissioner Miller, chose not to respond to the questionnaire.  Moreover, he failed to respond to FARFA’s letter raising objections to his plans to require mandatory farm registrations: https://farmandranchfreedom.org/texas-fsma-implementation/.)

Learn more about Colonel Olson and donate: https://votekimolson.org/

Dan Flynn for Texas State House District 2

Dan Flynn (R) is running for re-election for Texas State House District 2. For the last four terms, Representative Flynn has been a champion for raw milk in the Texas Legislature.  In 2011, he first filed a bill to legalize the sale of raw milk at farmers’ markets and through delivery – and he has consistently fought to move that bill forward. Like us, he has been frustrated that it has yet to pass, but he keeps working on it and bringing us closer to the day that it will become law in our state.

We are grateful for his unwavering support for the farmers and the consumers who want greater access to raw milk. Legalized access to raw milk faces stiff opposition from both the health departments and the Big Dairy lobby, yet Representative Flynn continues to fight for greater food freedom. Whether you are a raw milk supporter or not, this sort of unwavering commitment to a small-farm issue is what we need from our legislators.

Website: http://daflynn.com/

Joseph Kopser for Congressional District 21

Joseph Kopser (D) is one of the  only candidates for any state or federal office to include local food and water issues as an issue on his website. And the substance of his issue statement is excellent. He mentions the high-profile topics of obesity and farm subsidies, but more importantly also focuses on one of the core problems that is too often ignored: consolidation of the food and agricultural system in the hands of a few large companies.

Kopser calls for “more rigorous antitrust policy with regard to agricultural industrial consolidation” – something that could fundamentally change our current, deeply flawed federal agricultural policy.

Kopser recognizes that taking on Big Agribusiness will not be easy. On his website, he states “America is awash in cheap food, and cheap food is easy, good politics. There is no doubt that America’s relatively inexpensive bounty is something that, for immediate economic reasons as well as the intrinsic political reasons described above, has made real farm policy reform a third rail.” He displays rare courage in calling out this fact, and we urge our members to support his campaign.

Read Kopser’s food and water statements at https://kopserforcongress.com/my-values/food-water-safety/

We encourage our members to support these candidates by voting, volunteering, and donating to their campaigns. We need champions for local food and sustainable agriculture at every level of government to make the changes our farmers and producers need!