- Farmers, losing a longtime Congressional ally in Debbie Stabenow, could play a key role in choosing her successor
- Rogers recently clinched Michigan Farm Bureau endorsement, Slotkin has support of farm union and regional business groups
- Farmers seek speedy resolution of farm bill, immigration reform, specialty crop protections
With U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s imminent retirement, Michigan’s conservative-leaning agricultural community is losing a powerful ally in Congress — and Democrats risk losing a swath of crossover voters that could make or break the campaigns of her possible successors.
Stabenow’s leadership position on the Senate Agriculture Committee earned her favor with farmers, rare for a Democrat, and helped carry her through several close elections.
Democrat Elissa Slotkin and White Lake Township Republican Mike Rogers are now in a heated race to replace her. Both boast congressional experience, national security backgrounds and are attempting to appeal to agricultural interests. But Rogers last month won …