“Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody.” This somewhat pessimistic view of our election process is credited to author Franklin P. Adams. No doubt, there's some truth to it, but in Texas Farm Bureau, I'd like to think we approach things a bit more positively.

On this site, you will find the recommendations of the Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund (AGFUND), Inc. In each case, we are definitely for the candidate and not necessarily against his or her opponent. Each of the endorsed candidates has demonstrated to county Farm Bureau leaders and the AGFUND board of directors that they have understanding and appreciation for agricultural and rural issues.

Each election cycle, I have always tried to make sure that you understand that no one involved with AGFUND is telling you how to vote. Your vote is yours and I hope you regard it as a sacred trust. I will be the last person to tell you how to cast it.

What our process means is that each race is thoroughly vetted and completely researched. In each of them, we basically have three or more choices. We can endorse one of the candidates in the race or we can choose not to make an endorsement and stay out of that race.

Each time a decision is made it's done with all the information we can gather, recommendations of CFB leaders and, sometimes, with direct questioning of the candidate. I hope you'll regard our efforts as research that will help you cast an informed ballot.

We have a “friendly incumbent” rule. When an incumbent supports agriculture and Farm Bureau policy a significant number of times, then that candidate is worthy of AGFUND support. In open races, we dig even deeper, to see how that candidate might vote when issues important to agriculture arise.

In Congress, as always, we'll have many issues important to us. The 2009 session of the Texas Legislature could be one of the most crucial that we've ever faced, especially with the issue of eminent domain. We will enter both of these sessions with an ever shrinking rural population and legislative representation that reflects that. It's more important than ever that we identify those candidates, rural and urban alike, who share our values and support our positions on these critical issues.

A significant numbers of both Democrats and Republicans have been endorsed. AGFUND has been, is and I hope will forever be non-partisan. As someone who has been involved in this process for many years, I can assure you that party affiliation has nothing to do with our selections. We base these decisions on issues.

Candidates covet the AGFUND endorsement. This is a tribute to the diligence of our Farm Bureau leaders and their participation in the process. None of this is to say that we haven't made mistakes on some candidates. We have and we've taken steps to try and correct those mistakes.

Overall, however, AGFUND has fulfilled its original purpose of electing public officials who understand and support agriculture and to build relationships with them.

On the first Tuesday in November, or in early voting, I hope you will join with me in this national celebration of our freedom. Vote for the candidates of your choice and together we will work with all of the winners for a better agriculture, a better Texas and a better America.

Sincerely,
Kenneth Dierschke, President
Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND