One of my favorite events for finding out how candidates (and rural voters!) feel about broadband is Farmfest! It’s happening this week August 7-9 in Redwood Falls.
If you’re around, you should go and if you care about broadband, you should ask. You can find the whole schedule online. I have heard some very impassioned speeches and questions from attendees in the past.
Here are the events where I think they are most likely to talk about broadband…
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7
10:30 a.m. – U.S. Senate Candidate Forum
Candidates:
- S. Senator Tina Smith (D)
- State Senator Karin Housley (R)
- Richard Painter (DFL)
- Bob Anderson (R)
- Nick Leonard (D)
Ag Leader Panel:
- Kevin Paap, President, MN Farm Bureau
- Gary Wertish, President, MN Farmers Union
- Kirby Hettver, President, MN Corn Growers Assn.
- Mike Petefish, President, MN Soybean Growers Assn.
- Greg Boerboom, President, MN Pork Producers Assn.
- Mike Landuyt, Pres.-Elect, MN State Cattleman’s Assn.
1:15 p.m. – Congressional Candidate Forum on Agriculture and Rural Issues
First District:
- Jim Hagedorn (R)
- Carla Nelson (R)
- Dan Feehan (D)
Second District:
- Angie Craig (D)
Sixth District:
- S. Congressman Tom Emmer (R) – Incumbent
- Ian Todd (D)
Seventh District:
- Congressman Collin Peterson (D) – Incumbent
- Dave Hughes (R)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8
10:30 a.m. – Minnesota Governor Candidate Forum
Candidates:
- Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R)
- Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson (R)
- S. Congressman Tim Walz (DFL)
- Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson (DFL)
- Minnesota State Representative Erin Murphy (DFL)
Moderators:
- Dave Lee, WCCO Morning Host
- Blois Olson, WCCO Political Analyst
(WCCO-AM is the Exclusive Radio Station of the Gubernatorial Forum at Farmfest 2018.)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9
10:30 a.m. – U.S. Senate Candidate Forum
Candidates:
- S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) – Incumbent
- Minnesota State Representative Jim Newberger (R)
- Rae Hart Anderson (R)
Ag Media Panel:
- Janelle Ateyo, Tri-State Neighbor
- Dick Hagen, The LAND
- Randi Kallas, Agri News
- Peter Scharpe, MN Farm Guide
I am planning to attend for the Gubernatorial Debate. If I can livestream, I will. I will take notes regardless. (And I might have to hang for the Pig Races, immediately following.)