Rep. Sharice Davids has received an important endorsement from the Kansas Farm Bureau’s political arm, VOTE FBF, marking the first time the group has endorsed a candidate in the state’s 3rd Congressional District since backing her Republican opponent in 2018. Davids, a Democrat representing the Kansas City area, has gained support since her initial election and has been viewed as an ally by the influential agricultural group as Congress works on passing a new farm bill.
The district, which includes suburban Johnson County and newly added rural areas, has given Davids a platform on the House Agriculture Committee. This role has provided Kansas more influence over agricultural policy as Congress crafts the next farm bill, a legislative package critical to both farming and food assistance programs. The previous farm bill from 2018 is set to expire soon.
The endorsement came with praise for Davids’s efforts to engage with farmers and ranchers in her district. Kansas Farm Bureau President Joe Newland expressed confidence in her leadership, particularly noting her focus on water conservation and her work on the Agriculture Committee.
Davids expressed her gratitude for the endorsement, promising to continue advocating for Kansas’s agricultural community. She will face Republican Prasanth Reddy, a physician from Lenexa, in the upcoming election.
Although Davids has supported many parts of the current farm bill, she voted against advancing it in May due to concerns about cuts to food assistance and changes to climate-related farming initiatives. Reddy has criticized her decision, arguing that Kansas needs a more reliable leader.
Despite their differences, Davids remains committed to passing a bipartisan farm bill and has worked with leaders like former Sen. Pat Roberts to gather input from the farming community through listening tours and events. While the current version of the bill may struggle to pass, Davids continues to advocate for solutions that balance the needs of Kansas farmers and families.