Secretary of Agriculture Candidate Tim Gannon: “Lives and livelihoods are on the line here, and they don’t even have a plan to help end this multi-front Trade War.”

Despite an unending chorus of pleas and denunciation from Iowa farmers, Governor Reynolds is silent on Trump’s recent escalation of his absurd Twitter Trade War.

But it’s no surprise that the Governor has yet to grow a backbone – just look at the last five months:

In April, Reynolds said that Trump was going to help Iowan farmers hurt by the Trade War.

  • After multiple meetings with the President, Reynolds vaguely said the Trump Administration was going to help Iowa farmers, but refused to release details of her meetings.
  • Reynolds even said “some disruption may be necessary” to Iowa farmers while the Trump Administration negotiated on the Trade War they started.
  • While Reynolds made ambiguous promises, Iowa’s farmers are left to worry about how the Trade War may continue to affect their businesses and livelihoods.
In July when President Trump visited Iowa, Reynolds sat by the President while he gave Iowa farmers a handout instead of offering real solutions.
  • Reynolds participated in a forum with Trump, where the President touted his Trade War.
  • When Trump offered farmers a $12 billion handout, Reynolds agreed that it was only a short term solution, but offered no long term solutions and did not hold the President accountable to find one.
Now, as the Trade War escalates and Iowa’s farmers continue to feel the effects, Reynolds still refuses to hold the Administration accountable for the damage they have done.
  • On Tuesday as Trump ramped up tariffs on China, Green Plains announced they would be stalling production in their northwest Iowa plant because of the uncertainty caused by the Trade War.
  • Reynolds is still silent on the escalating Trade War and refuses to stand up for Iowa farmers.
“Governor Reynolds and Secretary Naig have shown us time and time again that their political ambitions are more important than the Iowa Farmers they were elected to serve. Lives and livelihoods are on the line here, and they don’t even have a plan to help end this multi-front Trade War. Iowa deserves leaders with a backbone who will put our needs and our values first, and that’s exactly how I intend to lead as the Secretary of Agriculture,” said Tim Gannon.

“Iowa soybean farmers have lost their biggest market on Governor Reynolds’ watch,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price. “Her unwillingness to stand up for the farmers of this state has gone on for too long. We need leaders who will fight for our rural communities and make sure that what happens in Washington won’t affect their ability make a living.”

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