Iowa Secretary of Ag Race Impacts PMCI Members

The Secretary of Ag post is the agency head of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which regulates fuel meters, fuel quality and fuel labeling. Not surprising, all Republican candidates appear to be in agreement on 1) supporting continued funding of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, 2) opposing any efforts to restrict sales of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel, 3) opposing any efforts to change Iowa’s current labeling laws and regulations for higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel, and 4) opposing any efforts to ban the current practice of marketing E15 as a flex-fuel during the summertime RVP restrictions (given, that E15 cannot legally be sold to all 2001 and newer vehicles during the summertime RVP period).

Recent polls suggest the Republican candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture office may ultimately be decided by delegates at convention. It’s a tight race with many voters still undecided. A candidate in a primary election must win at least 35 percent of the vote to advance to the general election or it is up to convention delegates.

Republican candidates include:

• Brooklyn farmer Craig Lang, former president of the Iowa Board of Regents and the Iowa Farm Bureau.
• Ryan farmer, State Senator Dan Zumbach.
• Recently appointed Iowa Secretary of Ag, Mike Naig, who fills the seat vacated by Secretary Bill Northey when he took a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Ray Gaesser of Corning
• Chad Ingels of Randalia

Democrat candidate:

• Tim Gannon, a Des Moines resident, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.