Gov. John Bel vividly remembers last year’s Farm Bureau Federation Convention.
“It really set the tone for the election,” Edwards tells The News-Star. “It’s where (Republican U.S. Sen.) David Vitter first showed his true colors, and it followed him throughout the campaign.”
The gubernatorial candidates were asked about their biggest personal challenge. Vitter, who would deal with his previous prostitution scandal for the remainder of the campaign, answered the question adeptly, but later lashed out at Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson, saying he had been misled about the line of questioning.
“He blew up at me,” Anderson says. “I think there had been a good number of our members supporting him before that. I think it was the beginning of his downfall.”
There’s no political forum scheduled for the 94th Annual Farm Bureau Convention taking place from June 22-26 this year in New Orleans. Still, when as many as 2,000 Louisiana producers begin gathering, they can expect to be courted by a new group of political hopefuls running for the U.S. Senate and Congress.
The Farm Bureau Convention, Edwards says, has become a must stop on the campaign trail.
“They’re so influential because there are farmers and Farm Bureau insurance agents in every corner of the state,” Edwards says. “They also play a role on so many state boards and commissions, which elevates their influence even more.”
Anderson himself is a member of the LSU Board of Supervisors.
Among the U.S. Senate candidates expected are U.S. Reps. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, and John Fleming, R-Minden, Republican state Treasurer John Kennedy and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, D-Elm Grove.
Even those politicians whose seats aren’t at risk are compelled to make an appearance.
“The candidates better be there,” says Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who also plans to be there. “When you look at ag leadership in our state it emanates from every community and every parish. They are the movers and shakers in their communities.”
