Beleaguered outgoing Kansas congressman Tim Huelskamp says a person closely associated with president-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has contacted him about the possibility of becoming Agriculture Secretary in the new administration.
Huelskamp was defeated during the Kansas Republican primary by challenger Roger Marshall. The loss came after Huelskamp was removed by GOP leadership from his influential spot on the House Agriculture Committee. During the primary, Huelskamp’s re-election was opposed by the Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Livestock Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers, all of whom endorsed his challenger.
As The Maryville Daily Times reports,Huelskamp has called recently for major reform of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including stronger work requirements for food stamps. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller; and Nebraska cattle rancher Charles Herbster are also being considered for the post.