Press Release from the Jenkins for Senate campaign:
Nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate Jim Jenkins, today sent a letter to the Nebraska Farm Bureau questioning their endorsement of Ben Sasse in the U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Senator Mike Johanns.
View entire the Farm Bureau letter here.
“Several weeks ago, your organization made the decision to endorse Ben Sasse in the race for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Mike Johanns. As the only candidate in the race with extensive, long-term experience in agriculture, alternative fuels and the food industry, I would like to tell you why I am running,” Jenkins wrote.
“When I announced my decision to run for the U.S. Senate as a nonpartisan candidate, I understood that it would be a long, uphill battle, but I fully expected to receive a fair hearing from Nebraska business and agricultural organizations, given my track record of leadership in these areas.”
“While I realize that the Nebraska Farm Bureau decided to endorse Mr. Sasse early on, I would like to place my rural resume in front of you and allow you to compare it to that of Mr. Sasse who, while very intellectual, has virtually no agricultural or private sector experience and a very thin Nebraska resume, having moved back to the state only five years ago.”
•Managing partner for family ranch, including cow-calf, yearling, feedlot and farming enterprises
•Founded or co-founded a dozen businesses
•Nine years on the Custer County Planning Commission
•Two terms on the Nebraska Ethanol Board
•Past-president of the Nebraska Restaurant Association
•Member of Nebraska Ag Builders
•Collaborated with Nebraska Beef Council and University of Nebraska to promote the newly developed Flat Iron Steak
•Assisted with first wind development projects in Nebraska
“Despite this record, I was not invited to speak to your board or to address your membership.”
“Mr. Sasse and I differ significantly in how best to address the most important issues facing our state and our country. Our country can ill-afford the continued, excessive partisanship that prevents Congress from dealing with important issues, such as the deficit, tax reform, budgeting, the Highway Trust Fund and immigration.”
“Mr. Sasse has taken positions on nearly every major issue that are to the extreme right of the political spectrum, which will only exacerbate the political divisions now gripping Washington. Congress is already filled with partisan dividers, when what we need are bridge-builders and uniters.”
“Our state and nation have a critical choice this November: We can continue to allow our politicians to engage in excessive partisanship, which undermines our country, or we can send leaders to Congress who are committed to putting the interests of the nation ahead of the party.”
“I pledge to help find solutions in Washington that are based on what is best for my home state and my nation, not for the parties who posture and bare their political teeth over self-serving bones. I invite Nebraska farmers and ranchers to join my campaign to move our nation beyond the partisan posturing that is undermining Nebraska and our country.”
Thanks to Dan Parsons for this news.