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Organic food & farming! Politicians support
Food, Farming, & Organics
"The act of putting into your mouth what the earth has grown is perhaps your most direct interaction with the earth." -Frances Moore-Lappe
The GNA Platform: The Organic Consumers Fund's 2008 Grassroots Netroots Alliance Survey asks candidates and elected officials whether they support strict organic standards, mandatory labels for genetically engineered food, and the conversion of U.S. farmland to organic. The results are starting to come in...
2008 Grassroots Netroots Alliance Survey Results:
The Organic Questions
Question 2D Do you support the conversion of 20% of U.S. farmland to energy-efficient and carbon-sequestering organic farming by 2020 and 50% by 2040, with at least 5-10% of the USDA's annual $90 billion budget immediately being targeted to rebuild local food systems and help farmers make the transition to organic?
On the local and state level, do you support tax breaks for farmers making the conversion to organic, as Woodbury County, Iowa has done, "Farm to Cafeteria" legislation, like Washington state's, and other local and state-based efforts to provide technical assistance and subsidies to farmers and ranchers making the transition to organic agriculture?
Politicians who answered, “Yes”:
- Kent P. Mesplay, Green Party Presidential Candidate
- Brent Maupin, Independent Candidate for Congress, AZ-1 Mr. Maupin said, “My answer is, in general, yes. However, I would need to study all the data prior to establishing a fixed percentage.”
- Ed Ableser, Democratic Candidate for State Representative, AZ-17
- Marta Jorgensen, Democratic Candidate for Congress CA-24
- Dina Padilla, Peace & Freedom Candidate for Congress, CA-3 Ms. Padilla said, “As long as biopesticides are not used on these crops.”
- LR Roberts, Peace & Freedom Candidate for Congress, CA-5 Ms. Roberts said, “I support family not factory farming. We are vegetarians and have been since the 1970s.”
- Carol Brouillet, Green Candidate for Congress, CA-14
- Carol Wolman, Green Candidate for Congress, CA-1 Ms. Wolman said, “Could even raise the targets.”
- Cindy Sheehan, Independent Candidate for Congress, CA-8
- Jyl Lutes, Democratic City Council Member, Salinas, CA
- Jerry Northington, Democratic Candidate for Congress, DE
- Samm Simpson, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-10
- Stephen Blythe, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-15
- Paul Renneisen, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-22
- Clint Curtis, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-24
- Alexander Fry, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-8
- Stephanie Benfield, Democratic Incumbent Georgia State Representative, District 85
- Kathy Cummings, Green Candidate for US Senate, IL Ms. Cummings said, “Another resounding yes! See how I support conversion through reparation plans in the 2008 Longhouse Coalition platform. Let's do 50% by 2020.”
- Randi Scheurer, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Congress, IL-8 Ms. Scheurer said, “Dear to my heart. This is a way of life for my family for the last 50 years - organic farming and whole foods. 50 years ago my mother was a pioneer in the organic and health food industry, an advocate for change in the laws locally and nationally, and I have taken on this mantle. Along these lines at age 8 I was handed Rachael Carlson’s book Silent Spring. The book Diet For a Small Planet at one time was my bible for living. I now carry around with me asking people to consider reading Omnivores Dilemma.
- Jason Wallace, Green Candidate for US Congress, IL-11
- Rodger Jennings, Green Candidate for US Congress, IL-12
- Rich Bradley, Democratic Primary Contestant for Illinois State Senate, District 20
- Carlos Juan Guevara, Democratic Primary Contestant for Illinois State Senate, District 20 Mr. Guevara said, “It seems to work in some places now, so why not expand it!”
- Jeremy Karpen, Green Party Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 39
- Kevin O'Connor, Green party Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 41 Mr. O’Connor said, “I also think the USDA should have more restrictive criteria for determining what is or is not ‘organic’. The bureaucratic agency is beginning to deceptively label products ‘organic’ when in all actuality the products are tainted or were never genuinely organic in the first place.”
- Thomas Ledue, Democratic Candidate for US Senate, ME
- Herbert Hoffman, Independent Candidate for US Senate, ME
- Steve Harper, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Congress, MD-1
- John Wages, Green Candidate for US Congress, MS-1
- Eve Cohen Ellingwood, Republican Candidate for US Congress, NV-1 Ms. Ellingwood said, “I think we need to improve the quality of our soil and food- and not buy them from the unsupervised and contaminated produce from foreign countries.”
- James Smack, Republican Candidate for US Congress, NV-2
- Bob Giaquinta, Green Candidate for US Congress, NV-3 Mr. Giaquinta said, “I am wary of any subsidies, they always seem to be misused.”
- Lon West Enwright, Democratic Candidate for Nevada State Representative, District 18
- Shawn Girard, Independent Candidate for US Senate, NH Mr. Girard said, “That is a fantastic idea I have not seen before.”
- Steven Vasquez, Republican Candidate for US Congress, NY-21 Mr. Vasquez said, “I believe the move towards organic, grass fed livestock and farming will have a significant positive impact on carbon emissions and the overall quality of the food. The key to this is to end government subsidies to the mega-corporations who get 60%+ of the current subsidies, and allow the smaller, family based farmers to compete.”
- Danny M Francis, Democratic Candidate for US Congress, NY-23
- Chris Lugo, Green Candidate for US Senate, TN
- Max Koch, Libertarian Candidate for US Congress, TX-6
- Scott Trimble, Green Candidate for US House, TX-25
- Gary Murrell, Green Candidate for US House, WA-6
- James White, Independent Candidate for Governor, WA Mr. White said, “I believe that we need to assist our Farmers to make this transition affordable and should continue to support our Farmers to maintain healthy crops.”
POLITICIANS WHO ANSWERED, "UNDECIDED":
- Virginia (Ginny) Mayer, Democratic Candidate for California State Senator, District 35 Ms. Mayer said, “I really don't know enough to answer with certainty; I agree in general principle but don't know about the particulars.”
- Brian Fuller, Republican Candidate for California State Representative, District 44 Mr. Fuller said, “I suggest you have the government stop interfering in the production of food. No more subsidies no more mandates. If going organic is the best choice then so be it. Let those who use fertilizers and ‘non-organic’ means suffer the consequences. If going organic is the mandate then they will change what the meaning of ‘organic’ is. Good intentions but what about the unintended consequences.”
- Jan Schneider, Independent Candidate for Congress, FL-13 Ms. Schneider said, “Yes, I support these objectives. The percentages may be somewhat dependent on what portions of U.S. farmland are converted to fostering production of biofuels.”
- Jeff George, Independent Candidate for Congress, FL-14 Mr. George said, “These are all great programs which I would support, but the specific targets here need to be discussed.”
- Pat Rhudy, Democratic Candidate for Georgia State Senate, District 30, Ms. Rhudy said, “This appears to be federal. I support the tax breaks for farmers making the conversion. I support more USDA funding for organic and sustainable farming. I would have to study the consequences to US food supply generally, before I would commit to 20% conversion.”
- David Kalbfleisch, Green Candidate for US Congress, IL-10 Mr. Kalbfleisch said, “Undecided. Probably not. How is organic farming more energy efficient? You get a smaller yield from the same amount of land.”
- Lawrence Bliss, Democratic Candidate for Maine State Senate, District 7, Mr. Bliss said, “I like the goal, but don't believe that we can FORCE farmers to make this shift. We need to spend time educating our agricultural community on the benefits of organic farming, and move slowly toward these goals.”
- Andrew Duck, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Congress, MD-6 Mr. Duck said, “I would be willing to dramatically increase the spending to support local and organic farming, but cannot commit to specific percentage goals. I am also interested in your organization's view of genetically modified crops. I support the use of this technology to reduce the use of pesticides. I am confused why modified foods are not being considered ‘organic’.”
- Gary Hoover, Sr., Independent Candidate for US Congress, MD-6
- Eric Morelli, Republican Candidate for Nevada State Representative, District 3 Mr. Morellu said, “It must be cost effective enough for farmers to convert to these types of farms. It also must be profitable enough for them to sustain themselves during the harsh months as well.”
- Jack Kaffenberger, Sr., Independent Candidate for Ohio State Senator, District 12 Mr. Kaffenberger said, “I support tax breaks to farmers converting to organic on a voluntary basis. See where that gets us & then check in to it further.”
Politicians who answered, “No”:
- Trish Groe, Incumbent Republican, State Representative, AZ-3
- Ted Brown, Libertarian Candidate for Congress, CA-26 Mr. Brown said, “It's up to farmers to decide what kind of crops they grow -- and it's up to consumers to decide what kind of food products they will buy.”
- Dan Reale, Libertarian Candidate for Congress, CT-2 Mr. Reale said, “This is an open door for economic hijacking. The corporations will simply move to the third world, which won't be required to do anything under these arrangements.”
- Mark Mulligan, PhD, Republican Candidate for Congress, FL-2 Mr. Muligan said, “NO. There are many more ways to become energy independent.”
- Jason Jennings, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Congress, MD-4
- Michael Hargadon, Republican Candidate for US Congress, MD-7
- Christopher Knowlton, Republican Primary Contestant for US Congress, MO-5
- Thomas Knapp, Libertarian Candidate for US Congress, MO-2 Mr. Knapp said, “Agriculture is one of America's most heavily subsidized activities and has been for nearly a century starting with early "parity" legislation. It's time to get government off the farm and let market efficiency do the job right.”
- Teddy Fleck, Libertarian Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, MO
- Carl Bunce, Republican Candidate for US Congress, NV-3 Mr. Bunce said, “Need to read more about this.”
- Chris Dyer, Republican Candidate for US House, NV-1 Mr. Dyer said, “I buy mostly organic. As more of us move in this direction, farms will make the change to organic farming, without the government telling them to.”
- Carl Mumpower, Republican Candidate for US House, NC-11 Mr. Mumpower said, “I do not support big government control over private property rights.”
- Duane Grassell, Republican Candidate for US House, OH-11 Mr. Grassell said, “The percentages are unrealistic.”
- Leonard Ladner, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Senate, TN Mr. Ladner said, “Cut off all subsidies. Farmers know what to plant and how to plant it.”
- Scott Jameson, Libertarian Candidate for US Senate, TX Mr. Jameson said, “Cut USDA annual budget to less than $1 billion.”
- David Casey, Libertarian Candidate for US House, TX-24
- Politicians who didn’t answer the question:
- Buddy Moore, Independent Candidate for US Senate, CO
- Claire Levy, Democratic Candidate for Colorado State Representative, District 13
- Collins Bailey, Republican Candidate for US Congress, MD-5
Question 3E Do you support strict organic standards and consumers' right to know whether their food contains ingredients that have been genetically engineered, cloned, irradiated, or produced through the use of nanotechnology, as well as mandatory labeling for the country of origin of foods?
On the local level, would you support a ban on genetically engineered crops, similar to those in place in a number of California counties?
Politicians who answered, “Yes”:
- Kent P. Mesplay, Green Party Presidential Candidate
- Brent Maupin, Independent Candidate for Congress, AZ-1
- Mr. Maupin said, “ABSOLUTELY”
- Ed Ableser, Democratic Candidate for State Representative, AZ-17
- Marta Jorgensen, Democratic Candidate for Congress CA-24
- Dina Padilla, Peace & Freedom Candidate for Congress, CA-3
- LR Roberts, Peace & Freedom Candidate for Congress, CA-5 Ms. Roberts said, “We should not subsidize dangerous practices like GMO at UC Davis, for example, and then the professors patent the new organism.”
- Carol Brouillet, Green Candidate for Congress, CA-14
- Carol Wolman, Green Candidate for Congress, CA-1
- Cindy Sheehan, Independent Candidate for Congress, CA-8
- Jyl Lutes, Democratic City Council Member, Salinas, CA Ms. Lutes said, “I would like to see all GM foods banned in the United States!”
- Samm Simpson, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-10
- Jan Schneider, Independent Candidate for Congress, FL-13
- Jeff George, Independent Candidate for Congress, FL-14
- Stephen Blythe, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-15
- Mark Mulligan, PhD, Republican Candidate for Congress, FL-2
- Paul Renneisen, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-22
- Clint Curtis, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-24
- Alexander Fry, Democratic Candidate for Congress, FL-8, “Once again, you should check out my book. We're on the same page, my friends.”
- Kathy Cummings, Green Candidate for US Senate, IL Ms. Cummings said, “Absolutely! Strict organic standards and knowing if foods are GE'd or irradiated and where food comes from is fair, helpful information respecting the consumers' right to choose.”
- Randi Scheurer, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Congress, IL-8 Ms. Scheurer said, “This is why I am opposed to using our land for ethanol production. Monsanto is now one of the biggest ethanol corporations using genetically modified corn. I am deeply concerned by the use of land for this crop, taking land away from our production of healthy edible foods, also increasing the cost of food affecting the poor, also changing the quality of soil in this new emerging corporate path.”
- David Kalbfleisch, Green Candidate for US Congress, IL-10
- Jason Wallace, Green Candidate for US Congress, IL-11
- Rodger Jennings, Green Candidate for US Congress, IL-12
- Rich Bradley, Democratic Primary Contestant for Illinois State Senate, District 20
- Carlos Juan Guevara, Democratic Primary Contestant for Illinois State Senate, District 20
- Jeremy Karpen, Green Party Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 39
- Kevin O'Connor, Green party Candidate for Illinois State Representative, District 41
- Thomas Ledue, Democratic Candidate for US Senate, ME
- Herbert Hoffman, Independent Candidate for US Senate, ME
- Steve Harper, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Congress, MD-1
- Jason Jennings, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Congress, MD-4
- Andrew Duck, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Congress, MD-6 Mr. Duck said, “I support informing consumers.”
- Gary Hoover, Sr., Independent Candidate for US Congress, MD-6
- Michael Hargadon, Republican Candidate for US Congress, MD-7
- John Wages, Green Candidate for US Congress, MS-1
- Eve Cohen Ellingwood, Republican Candidate for US Congress, NV-1 Ms. Ellingwood said, “Absolutely- as this way we could prevent many health problems.”
- Bob Giaquinta, Green Candidate for US Congress, NV-3
- Shawn Girard, Independent Candidate for US Senate, NH
- Danny M Francis, Democratic Candidate for US Congress, NY-23
- Carl Mumpower, Republican Candidate for US House, NC-11
- Duane Grassell, Republican Candidate for US House, OH-11 Mr. Grassell said, “I would vote against any ban on genetically engineered crops.”
- Jack Kaffenberger, Sr., Independent Candidate for Ohio State Senator, District 12
- Leonard Ladner, Democratic Primary Contestant for US Senate, TN Mr. Ladner said, “We need to get away from this genetic engineering nonsense.”
- Chris Lugo, Green Candidate for US Senate, TN
- Scott Jameson, Libertarian Candidate for US Senate, TX
- Scott Trimble, Green Candidate for US House, TX-25
- Gary Murrell, Green Candidate for US House, WA-6
- James White, Independent Candidate for Governor, WA Mr. White said, ”Although I would like to see more information on genetically engineered crops as my understanding is it very beneficial to third world countries.”
Politicians who answered, “Undecided”:
- Trish Groe, Incumbent Republican, State Representative, AZ-3
- Ted Brown, Libertarian Candidate for US House, CA-26 Mr. Brown said, “As I said above, I favor accurate labeling so that people will know what they are buying or consuming. However, I would not ban any specific product. Each consumer can decide to take a risk or not.”
- Virginia (Ginny) Mayer, Democratic Candidate for California State Senator, 35 Ms. Mayer said, “I support making all information available. I do not know enough to decide on genetically engineered crops.”
- Brian Fuller, Republican Candidate for California State Representative, District 44 Mr. Fuller said, “More information the better. I think if we demand country of origin for manufactured products it is fair to ask of that for our food. China selling us poisoned dog food is an example. To ban genetically engineered crops or anything like that outright is myopic. I think that consumers must have all the facts.”
- Dan Reale, Libertarian Candidate for Congress, CT-2 Mr. Reale said, “I support the right of consumers to sue when these things damage food chains, crops and health. This approach used to work until we scrapped it in favor of putting the fox in charge of the henhouse, which is exactly what the FDA is. Like any other legislation, it will become just another piece of paper as its words are twisted toward any economic convenience.”
- Jerry Northington, Democratic Candidate for Congress, DE Mr. Northington said, “Genetically engineered and irradiated food crops need more evaluation. I would support great caution. Out and out ban is beyond today's science in terms of rational. We need more information. Until that evidence is available caution is the watchword.”
- Pat Rhudy, Democratic Candidate for Georgia State Senate, District 30 Ms. Rhudy said, “I do support the absolute right of the consumer to know and mandatory labeling. I do not support a moratorium on the research of crops.”
- Lawrence Bliss, Democratic Candidate for Maine State Senate, District 7
- Thomas Knapp, Libertarian Candidate for US Congress, MO-2 Mr. Knapp said, “I support truth in labeling, and oppose the imposition of genetic engineering on unconsenting others (e.g. the Percy Schmeisser case, in which Monsanto's genemod canola contaminated his crops -- and then they sued HIM!).I do not support government "standards," but rather competing market standards.”
- Teddy Fleck, Libertarian Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, MO
- Chris Dyer, Republican Candidate for US House, NV-1 Mr. Dyer said, “Two questions there. I support the right to know what's in our food, and peoples right to eat genetically engineered food if they want to.”
- James Smack, Republican Candidate for US Congress, NV-2
- Eric Morelli, Republican Candidate for Nevada State Representative, District 3
- Lon West Enwright, Democratic Candidate for Nevada State Representative, District 18
- Steven Vasquez, Republican Candidate for US Congress, NY-21 Mr. Vasquez said, “I support a strict standard set by university and private sectors. I believe we need to conduct more research on the long term effects of genetically engineered crops before we ban it.”
Politicians who answered, “No”:
- Christopher Knowlton, Republican Primary Contestant for US Congress, MO-5
- Carl Bunce, Republican Candidate for US Congress, NV-3 Mr. Bunce said, “The market will decide if everything is required to be labeled correctly. Foods that are not well received will disappear from the shelves. No regulations will be needed.”
- David Casey, Libertarian Candidate for US House, TX-24
- Max Koch, Natural Law Candidate for US Congress, TX-6
Politicians who didn’t answer the question:
- Buddy Moore, Independent Candidate for US Senate, CO
- Claire Levy, Democratic Candidate for Colorado State Representative, District 13
- Stephanie Benfield, Democratic Incumbent Georgia State Representative, District 85
- Collins Bailey, Republican Candidate for US Congress, MD-5
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