Farmers Endorse Congresswoman Delbene for Re-Election

Press Release

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene's re-election campaign announced today a coalition of farmers and leaders from Western Washington's agriculture community who have come together to endorse DelBene's re-election bid.

"Suzan is an effective, pragmatic lawmaker. She's exactly the type of person we need representing us in Congress," said Jim Werkhoven, President of Werkhoven Dairy in Monroe. "Her work on the Farm Bill made me proud to call her my Congresswoman, and that's why I'm voting for her in November." ​

As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congresswoman DelBene played a significant role in passing the 2014 Farm Bill. While serving on the Conference Committee tasked to negotiate between the House and the Senate on the Farm Bill, DelBene worked across the aisle to ensure that provisions to help Washington's farmers and families were included in the final bill. Provisions that DelBene fought for include significant increases in funding for research and programs such as Specialty Crop Block Grants and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to help our specialty crop growers.

Additionally, the bipartisan legislation includes language that DelBene drafted to provide $200 million for job training and education programs for food stamp recipients to gain valuable career skills and become self-sufficient.

"The broad and diverse support I've received from farmers across our region means a great deal to me. Our local farmers work tirelessly every day to produce healthy food, and I'm committed to doing everything I can to stand up for them and their issues," said DelBene. "Since I first came into office, I've focused on making progress on policies that are critical to their success, such as passing a bipartisan Farm Bill -- arguably the best one ever for Washington state's farmers -- and working to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation that will help our farmers and farmworkers."

"In her short time in Congress, Suzan has really stepped up to deliver results for our community," said Eiko Vojkovich, co-owner and operator of Skagit River Ranch in Sedro Woolley. "As a small family owned operation, our business is personal for us and Suzan has shown time and again that she has our backs."

The coalition of individuals to endorse DelBene range from large-scale dairy operations to small, young start-up farms. Endorsers include: Brian Bookey, Everett​; Sam Bowhay, Duvall; Mark Craven, Snohomish; Steve Crider, Burlington; Siri Erickson-Brown, Mount Vernon; Ellen Gray, Mount Vernon; Darrin Morrison, Mount Vernon; Linda Neunzig, Arlington; Jason Salvo, Duvall; Ethan Schaffer, Mount Vernon; Anne Schwartz, Rockport; Susan and Harley Soltes, Bow; Ariana Taylor-Stanley, Seattle; Claire Thomas, Redmond; George & Eiko Vojkovich, Sedro-Woolley; Andy Werkhoven, Monroe; and Jim Werkhoven, Monroe.

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