The Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund announced its support Monday for state Rep. Jim Dunnam in his bid for re-election to the District 57 House seat.

Dunnam’s voting record on major agriculture issues is 90 percent with the Farm Bureau’s interests, said Marc Scott, McLennan County Farm Bureau president.

While in office, Dunnam has passed legislation including bills to improve emergency services to rural areas and protect local drinking water, according to a statement issued by the Farm Bureau AGFUND.

State Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, arrives at the Texas Farm Bureau headquarters Monday, followed by TFB executive director and CEO Vernie Glasson.
Duane A. Laverty / Tribune-Herald

“Throughout his political career, Jim Dunnam has always remembered the interests of farmers and ranchers when drafting legislation in Austin,” said Kenneth Dierschke, president of the Texas Farm Bureau, in a statement. “He is an ally and friend of Texas agriculture, and we, as an industry, need him in Austin now more than ever.”

Dunnam said District 57 has such strong ties to farming and ranching that, essentially, what is good for District 57 is good for the Farm Bureau.

“I just go down and vote what I think is best for the district,” Dunnam said.

Shared interests

An example of shared interests is the issue of private property rights, something Dunnam said he follows closely.

Scott agreed that eminent domain is one of the top issues facing farmers and ranchers today.

Dunnam said the coming legislative session will focus largely on the state’s budget.

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen a budget deficit of this magnitude,” he said.

The legislator has his own ties to ranching, he said.

He said he grew up spending time on his grandfather’s cattle ranch. Dunnam’s father has cattle in Moody, and Dunnam has about 90 acres near Chilton, where he cuts hay and harvests pecans.

Dunnam’s ranch has been under scrutiny by opponents who say he lives in McGregor, outside District 57, and just owns the Chilton property.

Marva Beck, the Leon County Republican running against Dunnam, also touts her status as a rancher on her website.

wgragg@wacotrib.com

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