By Tracy Overstreet
The Grand Island Independent
Sep 04, 2008

The Nebraska Farm Bureau has endorsed Mike Johanns in the U.S. Senate race.

The organization’s political action committee Thursday credited Johanns for his national experience and strong leadership and communication in handling the first BSE-infected cattle found in the United States, for restoring international markets for Nebraska beef and for seeking producer input on farm policy.

“Our endorsement today is based on the fact that Mike Johanns clearly understands the needs of agriculture and remains committed to making the future better for Nebraska farmers and ranchers,” said Steve Nelson, Farm Bureau’s first vice president.

Johanns was a “true champion” for the nation’s farmers and ranchers in Washington, Nelson said.

“Now ag producers are in a much better position, with better prices, and a certain amount of credit must go to Mike Johanns for his countless efforts to open up international markets and for his leadership and emphasis on renewable fuels during his three-year tenure as secretary of agriculture,” Nelson said.

Farm Bureau also credited Johanns for his work as governor on water issues, foreign trade, building the ethanol industry and pursuing property tax relief.

Johanns’ experience on the local, state and national levels makes him a “true friend of agriculture,” Nelson said.

Johanns grew up on a family dairy farm, served as a Lancaster County board member, a Lincoln City Council member and mayor of Lincoln before being elected as Nebraska’s governor in 1998.

He was re-elected as governor in 2002 and served until January 2005, when he was sworn in as U.S. agriculture secretary in the Bush administration.

He resigned as ag secretary in 2007 to seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel.

“I appreciate their vote of confidence,” Johanns said  Thursday of the Nebraska Farm Bureau endorsement.

Johanns was the first gubernatorial candidate to be endorsed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau, in 1998, Nelson said, and is now the first candidate to be endorsed at the federal level.

Johanns said that, if elected, he will seek a seat on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

He faces Democratic challenger Scott Kleeb in the November general election. Kleeb has been endorsed by the Nebraska Farmers Union.http://www.theindependent.com/news/x392061856/Ag-group-endorses-Johanns?view=print