Roberts Could Seek Another Senate Term

The next Farm Bill is the top priority for Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts as many begin speculating if he will make another bid for his Senate seat in two years.  Roberts, who has chaired both the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate Agriculture Committee in his tenure, remains focused on finishing the 2018 Farm Bill.  However, the current atmosphere in D.C. could delay the farm bill into 2019.

McClatchy News reports that if Roberts does run again for his Senate seat, he may face a primary challenger, as he did in 2014.

If the presently 82-year-old lawmaker retires, the candidates for his seat could be Roger Marshall, who currently represents the First District of Kansas in the U.S. House., or Kevin Yoder, who lost his House seat during the midterm election. Agriculture Committee ties run deep in Kansas as Marshall serves on the House Ag Committee, and Yoder served on the House Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture. Also, Jerry Moran, the junior Senator from Kansas, serves on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and has served on the House Agriculture Committee.

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