JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In a historic move, Missouri Farm Bureau’s Political Action Committee has endorsed Stockton farmer and CPA Kalena Bruce for election in Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District primary. Trustees of the Missouri Farm Bureau West Central Regional Endorsement Committee voted to endorse her bid in a June 13 meeting at Sedalia Smith-Cotton High School.
Bruce is a lifelong farmer and has served Farm Bureau at the local, state and national levels. In 2017, she served as national chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, traveling throughout the nation and advocating on behalf of young farmers. As a firm believer in the importance of agriculture and strong rural communities, Kalena Bruce’s values are Farm Bureau values.
“Kalena is a shining star in the farming community,” said Trent Drake, chairman of the West Central Regional Endorsement Committee. “Her common-sense Missouri values, experience as a small business owner and determination to fight for our way of life will make her an outstanding representative in the U.S. Congress.”
Trustees are selected by their county Farm Bureau organizations. The trustees invited all candidates in the race to the endorsement session. Four candidates chose to attend, including Bruce. Trustees heard from the candidates and asked questions about their positions on relevant issues prior to voting on the endorsement.
Today’s announcement marks the first time Missouri Farm Bureau has endorsed a candidate in an open-seat Congressional primary election. With all analysts agreeing that the Fourth District seat will be decided in the primary, trustees determined it was appropriate to get involved in the race at this time. It is fitting that this historic endorsement was earned by a longtime grassroots leader within the organization.
Missouri Farm Bureau is the state’s largest agriculture advocacy organization. To learn more about its work on behalf of Missourians, visit www.mofb.org.