Bill Northey
Bill Northey is the former Iowa secretary of agriculture, serving from 2007 to 2018. He left that office to become the under secretary of agriculture for farm and foreign agricultural services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
On September 5, 2017, Northey was nominated by President Donald Trump (R) to serve as under secretary for farm production and conservation at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Senate confirmed Northey on February 27, 2018. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) appointed Northey's successor, Mike Naig on March 1, 2018.[1]
Biography
Northey is a fourth-generation farmer. He is the co-founder and president of Innovative Growers, LLC, and has served as a commissioner of the Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District. Northey served as president of the National Corn Growers Association from 1995 to 1996 and as chairman from 1996 to 1997.[2][3][4]
Northey was president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture from September 2011 through September 2012.[5][6]
Education
- M.B.A., Southwest Minnesota State University, 2004
- Bachelor's, Agriculture Business, Iowa State University, 1981
Political career
Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services for the USDA
Northey became the under secretary of agriculture for farm and foreign agricultural services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). He was nominated to the position by President Donald Trump on September 5, 2017, and confirmed by the Senate on February 27, 2018.
His appointment was blocked for months by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) over a dispute concerning the Renewable Fuel Standard. The RFS is a program mandating that transportation fuels contain a minimum amount of biofuel, an amount that increases annually. In a statement, Cruz said that Northey and the USDA would play "a critical role in formulating RFS policy. Accordingly, I have placed a hold on the nomination of Bill Northey … until and unless we secure the aforementioned meeting [with President Donald Trump] where we can bring diverse interests together to try to find meaningful short-term solutions while setting the stage for longer-term policy certainty." Cruz, who represented an oil-refining state at the time, argued that Texas could lose jobs because of the RFS. In February 2018, Cruz had a meeting with Trump, but it was unclear if any changes would be made to the RFS. Cruz then lifted his hold on Northey's nomination.[7][8]
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture (2007-2018)
Northey served as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture from January 2007 to February 2018. He was first elected in November 2006 and re-elected in 2010 and 2014.[9][10][11][12][13][14]
Northey made it a goal to travel to each of the state's 99 counties each year in order to hear from all segments of the population affected by agriculture. He listed his priorities as Secretary of Agriculture "as advancing the opportunities available through renewable energy, promoting conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture."[15]
2013 Farm Bill
- See also: United States Farm Bill 2013
In June 2013, the U.S. Congress rejected a proposed farm bill for the nation, saying it did not go far enough in cutting the food stamp program. With the then-current Farm Bill set to expire September 30, 2013, Northey said leaders needed to get a bill passed, tweaking it later if necessary.[16]
"We need that bill out there. It's not the big deal it once was to all our producers where our income was based on that farm bill but still it needs to get done. The uncertainty of not having it out there, possibly folks changing around crop insurance or doing other things to it, we need that to happen," Northey stated.[17]
In early July, the U.S. House voted to split the bill into separate farm policy and nutrition assistance components. While Northey said he was "concerned about what it may mean," he did see it as progress, saying, “A split farm bill can mean that we go to conference and get a bill out of there."[18] However, he added, “I think at the end of the day, the bill that comes out has to be the food stamp program and the AG provisions together. I don’t think the senate would pass them separately, I don’t think the president would sign it.”[19]
On July 26, Northey, along with Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Director of Natural Resources Chuck Gipp, send a letter to congressional leaders, urging a “swift conference committee resolution of the differing farm bill measures that have passed both chambers of Congress.”[20][21]
With the extension expiring at the end of September, Northey stated, “People who watch it give it very low probability to get it done before the end of September. They have to pass the feeding programs to get it to conference committee and get it passed in both chambers and get it to the president before Sept. 30.”[22]
In early December, Northey sent a letter to Sen. Tom Harkin asking him to support the King amendment that would stop states from dictating agriculture production practices.[23]
Ethanol
On November 15, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed revising the 2014 renewable-fuel standard, lowering the amount of biofuels, including ethanol, that are added to the U.S. fuel supply.[24] It would have been the first reduction since the enactment of the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2007. The agency cited how the increase of ethanol, which was supposed to better environmental quality, actually decreased it - farmers grew millions of acres of additional corn, leading to overuse of land, environmental destruction and an increase in livestock feed prices.[25]
Northey, along with Gov. Terry Branstad (R) and U.S. Rep. Steve King (R), protested the new rules and defended the policy. At the time, Iowa's corn was being used to produce some 95 percent of the nation's ethanol.[26] DuPont, Monsanto, Syngenta and the Iowa Farm Bureau all protested the proposed rule change as well.[27]
Hires former Monsanto lobbyist
In late August 2013, Northey announced he was hiring former Monsanto lobbyist Mike Naig as deputy secretary effective September 4.[28] Naig, who came into the position with over 13 years in the agribusiness industry, previously served as manager of state and local government affairs for Monsanto. He also served in public policy roles for CropLife America, the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, and the Iowa Biotechnology Association.[29][30] Northey had a history of financial ties with Monsanto.[31]
Elections
2014
Northey ran for re-election as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 2014.[32][33]
In announcing his bid for a third term, Northey stated, “First of all I like what I’m doing. We have a lot of things we want to do yet...We have this water-quality initiative that is a pretty big deal and I certainly feel an obligation to follow through on that.”[34]
Northey was uncontested for the Republican nomination in the June 3 primary, and faced two challengers, Democrat Sherrie Taha and New Independent Levi Benning, in the general election.
Bill Northey won the general election on November 4, 2014.
Results
| Agriculture Commissioner of Iowa, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Bill Northey Incumbent |
62.2% | 675,781 | |
| Democratic | Sherrie Taha | 34.1% | 370,209 | |
| New Independent Party | Levi Benning | 3.6% | 39,349 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 891 | |
| Total Votes | 1,086,230 | |||
| Election results via Iowa Secretary of State | ||||
U.S. Senate
Before he settled on running for re-election as agriculture secretary, Northey was a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate seat left open by Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin's retirement.[35][36][37][38][39]
On May 2, 2013, Northey announced via Twitter that he would not run to replace Harkin in 2014 tweeting, "I have decided not to run for US #Senate. Thx for many kind, encouraging words. Hoping Congr King runs. Other good R candidates as well."[40][41][42][43]
2010
Northey won re-election as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in the November 2010 election, defeating Democratic candidate Francis Thicke.[44][45][46]
| Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Bill Northey Incumbent |
62.9% | 674,572 | |
| Democratic | Francis Thicke | 37.1% | 398,428 | |
| Total Votes | 1,073,000 | |||
| Election results via Iowa Secretary of State | ||||
Endorsements
- Mike Huckabee and Huck PAC[47]
- Jerry Crawford, longtime Democratic strategist[48][49][50]
- Iowa Corn Growers Association's PAC[51]
- Iowa Industry PAC[52]
- Des Moines Register[53]
- The Messenger[54]
2006
Northey won election as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in the November 7, 2006, election, defeating Democratic candidate Denise O'Brien.[55]
| Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Bill Northey |
51.4% | 523,539 | |
| Democratic | Denise O'Brien | 48.6% | 495,873 | |
| Total Votes | 1,019,412 | |||
| Election results via Iowa Secretary of State | ||||
Campaign themes
2006
Northey's 2006 campaign platform consisted of "taking advantage of the opportunities available through renewable energy, promoting conservation and stewardship both in town and on the farm, and sharing the story of Iowa agriculture."[56]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Bill + Northey + Iowa + Agriculture"
See also
- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
- Agriculture Commissioner
- Iowa state executive offices
- Iowa down ballot state executive elections, 2014
| Iowa | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
- Bill Northey for Secretary of Agriculture Official 2014 campaign website
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- LinkedIn profile
- Bill Northey on Facebook
- Northey's blog from 2008-2009
- Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006
Footnotes
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedK - ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Bill Northey's Biography," accessed January 29, 2013
- ↑ Republican Party of Iowa, "State Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey," accessed June 26, 2013
- ↑ Public Policy Center, "Bill Northey," accessed June 26, 2013
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Bill Northey," accessed June 26, 2013
- ↑ Iowa State University Alumni Association, "Bill Northey 2012," accessed June 26, 2013
- ↑ The Gazette, "Ted Cruz confirms his hold on Northey nomination," November 15, 2017
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Cruz lifts hold; U.S. Senate confirms Bill Northey to USDA post," February 27, 2018
- ↑ WHOTV, "AGRIBUSINESS: Northey Responds To Criticism Of Nutrient Strategy," May 31, 2013
- ↑ 1011Now, "Iowa, Nebraska Ag Officials Talk Trade with Turkey," June 8, 2013
- ↑ The Daily Reporter, "NORTHEY ON: IOWA CROPS AND WEATHER," June 13, 2013
- ↑ Kalona News, "State Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey visits area," May 22, 2013
- ↑ Community Newspaper Group, "Northey: Horse owners encouraged to vaccinate against West Nile virus," June 7, 2013
- ↑ Radio Iowa, "Iowa Ag Secretary says voluntary approach faster path to improved water quality," May 30, 2013
- ↑ Bill Northey, " Bio," accessed June 19, 2013 (dead link) (dead link)
- ↑ Esterville Daily News, "Northey has Farm Bill concerns," July 17, 2013
- ↑ KWWL, "Iowa Ag Secretary: Farm bill needs to be passed quickly," July 8, 2013
- ↑ WHOTV, "AGRIBUSINESS: Northey: Farm Bill Split is ‘Bad Sign’," July 17, 2013
- ↑ WHOTV, "FARM BILL: Farmers Ask For Answers," July 22, 2013
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa leaders call on Congress to reach farm bill compromise," July 26, 2013
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Top Iowans urge passage of farm bill," July 27, 2013
- ↑ Cedar Valley Business, "Iowa ag secretary wants action on farm bill," September 23, 2013
- ↑ WHO TV, "AGRIBUSINESS: Farm Bill Negotiations," December 5, 2013
- ↑ National Journal, "EPA Lowers Renewable-Fuels Target for 2014," November 15, 2013
- ↑ Washington Post, "Ethanol takes policy blow from the Environmental Protection Agency," November 17, 2013
- ↑ Quad City Times, "Branstad, King, Northey protest EPA biofuels rules," November 20, 2013 (dead link) (dead link)
- ↑ KTTC, "Ethanol producers blast EPA for waging a "war on corn,"" November 23, 2013
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Bill Northey hires former Monsanto lobbyist as deputy director," August 21, 2013
- ↑ Emmetsburg Reporter, "Mike Naig Named Deputy Secretary For IA Dept. of Ag and Land Stewardship," August 27, 2013
- ↑ Bleeding Heartland, "Five problems a Monsanto lobbyist won't help Bill Northey solve," August 22, 2013
- ↑ Monsanto_election.html Natural News, "Monsanto candidates win election," November 8, 2010
- ↑ Bleeding Heartland, "Bill Northey seeking third term as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture," July 17, 2013
- ↑ Explorer Okoboji, "Northey To Announce 2014 Election Plans Saturday," July 12, 2013
- ↑ Iowa Farmer Today, "Northey plans to run again for Iowa secretary of agriculture," July 19, 2013
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa ag secretary Bill Northey says he’ll ‘strongly consider’ U.S. Senate bid," February 28, 2013
- ↑ Radio Iowa, "Iowa Ag Secretary discussing a run for the U.S. Senate," March 1, 2013
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Another top Iowa Republican, Bill Northey, decides against U.S. Senate run," May 2, 2013
- ↑ Sioux City Journal, "OUR OPINION: Here's to a spirited, issue-focused GOP Senate race," June 12, 2013
- ↑ Radio Iowa, "Northey says his decision on U.S. Senate race to come in “days”," April 24, 2013
- ↑ Washington Post, "Northey won’t run for Iowa Senate seat, hopes Steve King will" accessed May 2, 2013
- ↑ O.Kay Henderson, "State Ag Sec Bill Northey NOT running for US Senate," May 2, 2013
- ↑ Bleeding Heartland, "IA-Sen: Bill Northey rules out running (updated)," May 2, 2013
- ↑ The Iowa Republican, "Northey decides not to run for U.S. Senate," May 2, 2013
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "November 2010 General Election Results," accessed March 25, 2011
- ↑ Bleeding Heartland, "Northey hires "high-profile staffers,"" May 22, 2009
- ↑ Grist.com, "Agribiz BFF Bill Northey defeats reformer Francis Thicke for Iowa ag secretary ," November 3, 2010
- ↑ Huck PAC, "Bill Northey Endorsement," October 15, 2009
- ↑ Iowa Independent, "Crawford endorsement of Northey ‘not surprising,’ Democrats say," November 1, 2010
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Northey lands a Democratic endorsement," November 1, 2010
- ↑ Thicke for Agriculture, "Thicke Campaign Not Surprised Monsanto Lawyer Endorsed Northey," November 1, 2010
- ↑ O.Kay Henderson, "Corn PAC endorsements," September 2, 2010
- ↑ Bill Northey, "JOB CREATORS ENDORSE BILL NORTHEY FOR IOWA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE," August 7, 2010 (dead link) (dead link)
- ↑ Chemical News, "The Des Moines Register's endorsement of Republican agribusinessman Bill Northey for secretary o... Endorsement should have gon,"
- ↑ Messenger News, "Keep Bill Northey on the job," October 10, 2010
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "November 2006 General Election Results," accessed January 29, 2013
- ↑ Bill Northey, " Bill's Vision," accessed June 19, 2013 (dead link) (dead link)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Patty Judge (D) |
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture 2007–2018 |
Succeeded by Mike Naig (R) |
| ||||||||||||||
