By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Trade wars and the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic are just a couple of things that could change swing farmers’ votes in the upcoming election.

Generally, farmers vote conservative, but Agribusiness broadcaster Max Armstrong told WJBC’s Marc Strauss things might be different this year.

“One poll after another shows that farm bunch out there is a conservative bunch. You find pockets where certainly people who are strong and democratic alliances and generally speaking farmers vote republican. It will be interesting to see if they hang with the President, you know, because of the trade war and because of ethanol angst at the same time, others will point to cutting back the regulatory burden. That is huge for the farmers.”

In August, the U.S. trade deficit rose to the highest level in 14-years.

“Who knows. But, you know the farm vote is always a loyal vote. One thing farm groups point out…farmers are not one-issue voters. They don’t always vote their pocketbook. They vote other things that may be important to them, such as what they see as morality or environmental action, whatever it maybe they don’t just always vote their pocketbook.”

This year, the Trump Administration direct farm aid reached $32 billion – an all-time high.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].