Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is preparing for another four years in office following his reelection, but the political landscape around him will look considerably different. With Governor-elect Rob Sand preparing to take office and five of Iowa’s six congressional delegation members entering their first terms, Naig says the focus now needs to shift from campaigning to governing.
Naig acknowledged the intensity of the election cycle but said the results reflect the decisions of Iowa voters. He says he already has an established relationship with Sand and is prepared to work with the incoming administration.
Naig says that willingness to cooperate extends beyond the governor’s office to other newly elected officials at both the state and federal levels. With significant turnover in Iowa’s congressional delegation, he says establishing relationships and making sure new lawmakers understand the state’s agricultural priorities will be especially important.
Those priorities include water quality and conservation programs, animal health, and efforts to prevent and respond to foreign animal diseases. Naig says his department has a responsibility to provide information and perspective to the incoming congressional delegation, particularly on issues connected to federal agricultural policy.
Naig also believes Iowa’s new congressional representatives should seek opportunities to serve on committees important to the state, including those dealing with agriculture. He says maintaining strong relationships between lawmakers, farmers, and agribusinesses will help ensure Iowa’s interests are represented in Washington.
One of the most pressing issues awaiting lawmakers is the unfinished farm bill. While Naig remains hopeful Congress can complete the legislation during the lame-duck session, he acknowledges that the election results have changed the political dynamics surrounding negotiations.
Naig says considerable work has already gone into developing a new farm bill, and starting the process over with a new Congress could mean additional years of negotiations. He believes lawmakers should take advantage of the remaining time in the current session to finish the job.
Beyond the farm bill, Naig says several agricultural priorities will continue regardless of which political party holds power. Expanding access to E15 remains an important issue for Iowa’s corn growers and renewable fuels industry. Conservation programs, water quality initiatives, and protecting livestock from foreign animal diseases will also require continued cooperation between state and federal officials.
Naig says those issues should not be viewed strictly through a partisan lens. Instead, he believes elected officials need to focus on policies that support Iowa farmers and strengthen the state’s agricultural economy.
For Naig, the message following the election is straightforward. Voters have made their choices, and now the responsibility falls on elected officials to work together and deliver results.
Whether that means working with Governor-elect Sand in Des Moines or building relationships with new members of Congress in Washington, Naig says he is willing to work with anyone committed to strengthening Iowa agriculture.
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