There are a number of House Agriculture Committee members who are in close races, including:
· Illinois 16: Congressman Bobby Schilling (R) is facing Cheri Bustos (D). This district includes the cities of Moline, East Moline, Rock Island, Freeport and parts of Rockford and Peoria. This is considered a toss-up race at this time.
· Iowa 3: This is a battle between two incumbents – Congressman Leonard Boswell (D) and Tom Latham (R). Boswell serves on the House Agriculture Committee and is ranking member of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management subcommittee. He was first elected in 1996. Latham is a member of the House Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee and was first elected to Congress in 1994. Both candidates are well-known in the agricultural community. Current polls show this as a close race.
· Iowa 4: Congressman Steve King (R) is being challenged by Christie Vilsack (D). King is a member of the House Agriculture Committee. Vilsack is a school teacher and wife of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. This race will be one of the most expensive congressional races in Iowa history. The district has a Republican advantage, but the polls show this race to be close.
· North Carolina 7: Congressman Mike McIntyre (D) is facing State Senator David Rouzer. This district was redrawn with a Republican advantage. However, McIntyre has received the endorsements of the National Rifle Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
· North Carolina 8: Congressman Larry Kissell (D) is being challenged by Richard Hudson a small business owner. Republicans expect to gain this seat.
· South Dakota: Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R) is facing Matt Varilek (D). The failure of the House of Representatives to pass a farm bill has been an issue in this race.
The races in Illinois and Iowa could be influenced by how the presidential candidates do in those congressional districts.
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