News

Candidate forums a staple of Minnesota Farmfest

Political candidate forums are a staple of Farmfest in southwest Minnesota.

Coordinator Kent Thiesse says the show has hosted forums every even year since 1990.

“And it’s become kind of a go-to event for all the major candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and the five congressional districts that represent greater Minnesota.”

He tells Brownfield the focus is always on agriculture and rural issues.

“As we go through the campaign season, there’s very rarely a concentrated focus on things like renewable energy, farm bill, the farm economy, and ag regulations. And those are the kinds of topics we cover (during these forums).”

This year’s Farmfest is next Tuesday through Thursday and Thiesse says there will be candidate forums for Minnesota’s First, Second, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Congressional districts, as well as for U.S. Senate featuring incumbent Amy Klobuchar and her opponents.