Farm Bureau picks
By the IFB

The Iowa Farm Bureau has announced its picks in this year's congressional and legislative races and in the QC area incumbents got the nod in most cases, including some Democrats

U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a Waterloo Democrat, was the Farm Bureau's pick over Republican challenger, state Sen. David Hartsuch of Bettendorf.

The Farm Bureau picked Mike Whalen over Braley a couple years ago.

Also, Rep. Dave Loebsack, a Mount Vernon Democrat, got the nod over Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Ottumwa Republican.

On the legislative side, Ross Paustian, a former county farm bureau president, got the endorsement over incumbent state Rep. Elesha Gayman, D-Davenport, in District 84. Republicans are putting a lot of emphasis on this race, so it was important for Paustian to get the nod.

In another race that's being watched, state Sen. Frank Wood, an Eldridge Democrat, was the Farm Bureau's pick in District 42 over Davenport Alderman Shawn Hamerlinck, a Republican challenger.

Elsewhere, Reps. Jamie Van Fossen, Linda Miller and Steve Olson, all Republican incumbents, were picked by the Farm Bureau. So was Jim Lykam, a Davenport Democrat.

© Copyright 2008, The Quad-City Times, Davenport, IA