Angie Craig elected ranking member of House Ag Committee

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) has been elected as the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee for the 119th Congress, defeating Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) in a 121-91 vote by the House Democratic Caucus.

She succeeds Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), who withdrew from the race after a recommendation from the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

Craig, 52, ran on a platform emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with rural voters.

“We can’t lose the middle of the country and gain the presidency,” Craig stated, adding that Democrats need to “do a better job of winning the hearts and minds of rural communities.”

She also pledged to work toward bipartisan compromise while holding policies accountable when they fail to serve the interests of Minnesotans and Americans.

The bio on Craig’s website doesn’t list significant childhood or professional experience in agriculture prior to her appointment to the House Agriculture Committee, though, in a news release, she did reference herself as the “granddaughter of an Arkansas farm foreman.” She is listed as a small business investor, the former head of Global HR and Corporate Relations for a major Minnesota manufacturer, and a former newspaper reporter.

The leadership change follows health challenges faced by Scott, 79, who had chaired the committee during the 118th Congress. Craig’s election signals a fresh direction for the House Agriculture Committee as it prepares to tackle pressing issues like the upcoming farm bill and broader agricultural challenges.

Kenneth Hartman Jr., president of the National Corn Growers Association, welcomed Craig’s election with optimism.

“Rep. Craig has been a close ally of farmers in general and fierce advocate of corn growers in particular,” Hartman stated. He expressed excitement about working with her to advance legislation critical to corn growers while also recognizing Scott’s dedication and contributions to agricultural issues.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall also congratulated Craig, emphasizing her leadership’s importance at a time when farmers are grappling with economic challenges such as inflation, high supply costs, and declining commodity prices.

“Her leadership is needed now more than ever,” Duvall said, highlighting the urgency of passing a new five-year farm bill.

Both organizations acknowledged Scott’s two decades of service on the committee, with Duvall praising his invaluable contributions to American agriculture.