Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton has picked up a key endorsement in his bid to represent Texas in Washington.
Paxton's campaign announced Wednesday, Sept. 16, that it had gained the backing of the Texas Farm Bureau, the most influential agricultural organization in the state, representing more than 500,000 member-families across Texas. The endorsement adds an additional level of support for Paxton as he looks to take on Democrat James Talarico in the Nov. 3 General Election. The winner will replace outgoing U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in the U.S. Senate.
“Our farmers and ranchers are critical not only to the state of Texas, but also to feeding and supporting our entire country and providing the food security that is critical to our national
security," Paxton said in a news release. "That’s why I’m incredibly honored to have the endorsement of the Texas Farm Bureau. As your next United States Senator, I will fight to protect Texas agriculture, defend our rural communities, strengthen our food supply, and make sure Washington bureaucrats do not stand in the way of the men and women who feed and fuel America."
For Paxton, the vote of support from the Texas Farm Bureau underscores his work as attorney general to protect Texas’ agricultural economy, farmers, ranchers and rural landowners.
Among Paxton's touted victories are a settlement with the U.S. Supreme Court ensuring Texas receives its share of Rio Grande Water, a legal battle with former President Joe Biden's administration over its "Waters of the United States" rule — a regulation that defined which rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes and other bodies of water are protected under the Clean Water Act — and helping to launch the Landowner Compensation Program, which compensated landowners for damage done to their property during the commission of a border crime.
“General Paxton has consistently used the courts to defend Texas farmers, ranchers, and landowners," said Russell Boening, president of the Texas Farm Bureau's AGFUND. "His legal actions have challenged overreaching Biden-Obama era WOTUS regulations, defended private property rights along the Red River, sought accountability for the devastating Panhandle wildfires, fought anti-competitive practices in agricultural markets, and opposed federal regulations that increase costs and uncertainty for agricultural producers."
"(Paxton) has also worked to protect rural landowners affected by border-related damage and other threats to private property rights," he continued. "He has stood with Texas agriculture and worked to protect the interests of farm and ranch families across our state. General Paxton will continue to be an advocate for agriculture in the U.S. Senate.”
Meanwhile, Talarico has seen his base of support grow with endorsements from the grassroots veterans organization Common Defense and a growing list of Republican leaders across the state.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Paxton gains Farm Bureau backing, boosts Texas US Senate bid
