ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU ENDORSES AARON SCHOCK FOR CONGRESS

Key constituency in 18th District endorses Schock

Agriculture leaders support Schock’s “depth on the issues”

The Illinois Farm Bureau has voted to endorse Representative Aaron Schock’s candidacy for Congress in Illinois’ 18th District. Schock has earned the Farm Bureau endorsement over his opponents, Democratic Party nominee Colleen Callahan and Green Party nominee Sheldon Shafer.

“I have worked hard in the General Assembly to develop a good voting record on agriculture and a strong relationship with the Farm Bureau,” said Schock. “I am gratified the Farm Bureau appreciates my record of being an effective advocate for farmers.”

“I am determined to successfully advocate on behalf of the economic interests of my district and with agriculture being the number one industry here, that certainly requires fully understanding the concerns of farmers,” Schock continued.

Farm Bureau leaders from all over the 18th District recently met to hold extensive interviews with both candidates. These ACTIVATOR trustees came away favoring Schock and impressed by his command of agriculture issues and his positions on the issues.

The Farm Bureau is the largest organization of farmers in the nation, with more than 418,000 members in Illinois. Their endorsement is one of the most prized endorsements in the Congressional district.

“We cannot take the prosperity and competitiveness of our farmers for granted,” said Schock. “Our government needs to be pro-active in ensuring adequate markets for agricultural commodities, efficient transportation for those commodities, providing a secure and stable energy supply, along with low taxes and reasonable rewards for hard work.”

Aside from communicating their endorsement directly to the tens of thousands of their members in the 18th District, the Farm Bureau ACTIVATOR committee will also contribute financially to Schock’s campaign.

(press release)

August 27, 2008

Rep. Schock earns Congressional endorsement from farm organization

For Immediate Release

ACTIVATOR, the political involvement fund of Illinois Agricultural Association, is endorsing State Representative Aaron Schock of Peoria in his bid for Congress.

Rep. Schock is the Republican nominee in the 18th Congressional District that covers all or most of Adams, Logan, Marshall, Mason, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Tazewell, and Woodford County and portions of Cass, Macon, Putnam, and Scott County.

18th District ACTIVATOR Committee Chairman Dennis Hughes of Macon County acknowledged Schock’s experience as a state legislator and his sensitivity to agricultural and rural issues. If elected, Schock said he will ask to serve on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.

“Aaron recognizes that agriculture represents the largest industry in the 18th District. He supports making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent, understands the importance of farm programs and trade, and will vote to expand domestic supplies of energy – including renewable fuels,” Hughes said.

Schock was born in rural Minnesota and grew up on a cattle and grain farm before moving to the Peoria area, which has one of the nation’s highest concentrations of ethanol producers. In addition to biofuels, Schock supports domestic oil and natural gas exploration, clean coal technology, and an expansion of nuclear energy as part of a comprehensive energy package.

“Our ACTIVATOR committee was impressed by Aaron’s resume, his ideas, and his enthusiasm for public service. We are pleased that he wants to serve on the agriculture committee and believe he will be an energetic and responsive voice in Washington for the citizens of our district,” Hughes said.

The Illinois Agricultural Association, also known as Illinois Farm Bureau, is the state’s largest general farm organization with more than 418,000 members.