WASHINGTON — Nearly all members of the House Committee on Agriculture standing for re-election in the 2018 midterm elections held their seats. Indeed, only two committee members seemed to have lost their bids at re-election, Republican John Faso of New York, who lost his seat to Democrat Antonio Delgado, and Republican Jeff Denham of California, who lost his seat to Democrat Josh Harder.
Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota, ranking member of the committee, won his re-election bid, and with Democrats taking control of the House of Representatives in January, Mr. Peterson may reclaim the gavel as committee chairman. Mr. Peterson was committee chairman during the 110th and 111th Congresses. K. Michael Conaway of Texas, the current committee chairman, coasted to re-election.
There were retirements from the House and the committee. Republican Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, a former chairman of the agriculture committee, retired after several terms representing the 6th District of his state and did not stand for re-election. Democrat Rick Nolan of Minnesota announced his retirement, which opened the 8th District seat in Minnesota, which was won by Republican Pete Stauber.
Two other members of the committee announced their retirements from the House to pursue bids, both successful, to become governors of their states. Democrat Timothy J. Walz of Minnesota won his bid to become governor of Minnesota, and Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico won her bid to become governor of New Mexico.
Republican members of the agriculture committee winning their re-election bids included Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, Frank. D. Lucas of Oklahoma (a former committee chairman), Steve King of Iowa, Mike Rogers of Alabama, Bob Gibbs of Ohio, Austin Scott of Georgia (unopposed), Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee, Vicky Hartzler of Missouri, Doug LaMalfa of California, Rodney Davis of Illinois, Ted Yoho of Florida, Rick Allen of Georgia, Mike Bost of Illinois, David Rouzer of North Carolina, Ralph Abraham of Louisiana, Trent Kelly of Mississippi, James Comer of Kentucky, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Neal Dunn of Florida and Jodey Arrington of Texas.
Democratic members of the agriculture committee winning re-election included David Scott of Georgia, Jim Costa of California, Marcia L. Fudge of Ohio, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, Filemon Vela of Texas, Ann Kuster of New Hampshire, Cheri Bustos of Illinois, Sean Patrick Mahoney of New York, Alma Adams of North Carolina, Dwight Evans of Pennsylvania, Al Lawson Jr. of Florida, Jimmy Panetta of California, Darren Soto of Florida, and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.
As of this writing, committee member and Democrat Tom O’Halleran of Arizona was expected to win his re-election bid, but the race was not yet called.
Democrat and agriculture committee Stacey Plaskett of the Virgin Islands will continue to represent the territory in the House of Representatives.