Election
The 2026 midterm election results are reshaping the political landscape in Washington, and agriculture is watching closely to see what the results mean for farm policy, congressional leadership and the future of the farm bill.
The incoming Congress will feature at least 119 ag voices, but major leadership shakeups and a steep learning curve await lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Agricultural communities deliver stunning upset in Kansas Senate race, ending Republican dominance in the heartland amid economic anxiety.
Beyond party lines, the future of farm policy is on the ballot. Here is a look at the critical campaigns that will determine if rural America keeps its seat at the table.
Forty-three candidates are running for the House and five for the Senate with backgrounds on apple orchards, dairy farms and cattle ranches.
As the midterms approach, Farm Journal’s AgVote 2026 series tracks the lawmakers with deep farm roots who won’t return next session — and what their departures could mean for ag policy.
Dozens of ag champions and producers will leave Washington following the midterm elections. History suggests their firsthand experience won’t be easily replaced — leaving rural America’s voice hanging in the balance.
Lawmakers aim for year-end deal as midterm elections loom.
As producers navigate financial strain and D.C. disconnect, realities such as steep input costs, trade frustrations and E15 limbo are becoming decisive factors shaping the rural vote.
Since being confirmed on Feb. 13, Secretary Rollins has been in the Washington D.C., USDA office for a few hours. Most of her time has been spent visiting farmers, ranchers and ag businesses in Kentucky, Kansas and at Top Producer Summit.
Trump recently signed three executive orders imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. This marks the first time a president has used powers granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.
In an announcement on Saturday, Trump said her “commitment to support the American farmer, the defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none.”
Trump taps Howard Lutnick for Commerce Secretary, signaling tariff-heavy trade strategy. Lutnick has called the tariffs a negotiating tool that could be used to convince other countries to bring down their own levies or to force companies to move production to the U.S.
Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow finally released the full text of the Senate farm bill on Monday, but it’s already drawing intense criticism. Even usually optimistic House Ag Chair GT Thompson signaled it’s time to focus on a 2018 farm bill extension by year’s end.
As the list continues to evolve, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly playing an active role in the cabinet selection.
With the election now in the rearview mirror, Washington D.C. ag economist John Newton joins Tyne and Clinton on Unscripted to talk about the road ahead for ag producers.
Trump’s plans to roll out blanket import tariffs could slam the door on imported vegetable oil supplies, which renewable energy analysts said could in turn lure the U.S. crush industry to revive lagging plans to build new plants and expand capacity.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) wins Majority Leader race. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was eliminated on the first ballot. And Thune beat Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) 29-24 on the second ballot.
Trump stated that Zeldin would “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions” to “unleash the power of American businesses.” The administration aims to maintain “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet” while pursuing deregulation.
One of the biggest anticipated changes that could impact farms across the U.S. is the possible change to the tax policy under a second Trump administration.
Now that the election results are in, the parlor game of who President-elect Donald Trump will tap to serve on his Cabinet has returned, and there’s a host of possibilities.
The good news is a Trump presidency and Republican-controlled Senate might result in fewer regulations and lower taxes. The bad news is the U.S. could be headed for a possible trade war with China and other countries.
Biden-era clean energy subsidies would likely survive, but a reduction in offshore wind leasing is likely.
A “no” vote means the state law in question would be rejected, and that raises fresh questions about the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline and similar projects.
Trump garnered even stronger support in rural America versus his still robust rural vote in this first administration. That is likely a backlash against the ag policy moves of the Biden/Harris administration that focused on underserved and minority rural citizens.
Washington insider Jim Wiesemeyer fills the guest’s chair on this episode of Unscripted to share what he’s hearing about the upcoming presidential election. Wiesemeyer offers plenty of insight into key topics such as the impact of early voting and how the next administration can help or hurt the production ag industry.
The October Monthly Monitor reflects cautious optimism in certain areas of agriculture, marked by export strengths and potential price recoveries, but shadowed by long-term rebuilding challenges, weather dependencies and the impact of the upcoming election.
When ag equipment manufacturers start shedding union line workers, shuttering plants and shifting factories to Mexico, and there’s a glut of used equipment covering dealer lots, you know the tide is quickly turning.