The Ohio Farm Bureau announced that the organization’s Agriculture for Good Government PAC (AGGPAC) is endorsing Judge Joseph Deters, Judge Dan Hawkins and Judge Megan Shanahan for election to the Ohio Supreme Court.
“The Statehouse used to be the playing field for advocacy, but that has shifted in recent years, and now Ohio Farm Bureau’s work on behalf of our members must also focus on the courthouse,” said Ohio Farm Bureau President Bill Patterson. “With so many of our fights being fought in the courts, we do not take these endorsements lightly. We have heard from all three candidates how they view the Ohio Constitution, and we believe their approach offers farmers the greatest certainty before the Ohio Supreme Court.”
AGGPAC is a bipartisan committee of Farm Bureau leaders appointed by the OFBF President. It is the legal entity that oversees and directs Farm Bureau’s engagement with pro-agriculture candidates to help them win election or get re-elected.
“I am pleased to be recognized by the Ohio Farm Bureau as a friend of agriculture,” said Judge Deters. “The Court’s maintenance of judicial restraint helps the agricultural industry prepare for the present and the future. This is an important quality that Ohio’s most important industry needs and deserves.”
“It is a great honor to be recognized in this way by the leading voice of agriculture in Ohio,” said Judge Hawkins. “Agriculture touches every Ohioan, and I know the agricultural community understands the importance of electing the right judges to our state’s highest court.”
“Leading a statewide campaign has given me the opportunity to get to know all of Ohio, including many of its great farms and farmers,” said Judge Shanahan. “I’ve learned even more about how important agriculture is to Ohio’s economy and am honored to be recognized by the Ohio Farm Bureau.”
According to Adam Sharp, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau, these three races are of great importance to Ohio’s agricultural community.
“Now more than ever, we must step up and make clear how important it is that the Ohio Supreme Court supports private property rights and a reasonable regulatory environment while maintaining a stable and predictable judicial system,” Sharp said. “These nominees embody those qualities and would be a welcome addition to the bench.”
For more information about AGGPAC, visit farmvotesmatter.org.
