Election Day 2024 saw substantial gains for Republicans nationally and in Michigan. In addition to the victory for President-Elect Trump, we will see new Congressional control for Republicans next year. And in Lansing, there will be a shift in how government is made up that will affect how policy is developed.
Here are some areas of interest for MABA members, especially as it relates to elections here in Michigan.
What is the national picture coming out of Election Day?
The 2024 election is widely recognized as a major victory for the Republican Party nationally. Republicans will control the White House, U.S. Senate, and highly likely the U.S. House in 2025-26.
In “down-ballot” races in the states – local and state offices – historic success by the Trump-Vance ticket led to gains for Republicans.
President-Elect Trump expanded his margins in many areas versus his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, including here in Michigan. And in blue states, Democrats’ margins of victory were far narrower than in the past.
As with any election, we will enter a period where both parties dissect election season and what went right or wrong for them. This is an interesting process you can easily read about in the press and on social media going forward.
What happened with races for Michigan’s delegation to Congress?
In a bright spot for Democrats, current U.S. Representative, and House Agriculture Committee member Elissa Slotkin will head to the U.S. Senate to fill the seat being vacated by Senator Debbie Stabenow. Senator-elect Slotkin narrowly defeated Mike Rogers on an election night that saw several Democratic incumbents in the U.S. Senate defeated. (These include Jon Tester in Montana, Sherrod Brown in Ohio, and Bob Casey in Pennsylvania.)
In an open mid-Michigan Congressional Seat, former State Senator Tom Barrett, a Republican, defeated Curtis Hertel and will head to the U.S. House.
And in an open seat in the Bay City area, current State Senator Kristin McDonald Rivet, a Democrat, was elected to fill the seat of retiring Rep. Dan Kildee. Other incumbent federal representatives were reelected.
What happened in the Michigan Legislature?
Tuesday saw major developments in the state Legislature.
Headed into Election Day, Democrats controlled all of Michigan state government – the Governor’s office, House and Senate, albeit with narrow two-vote majorities in the House and Senate. The Michigan Senate was not up for election in 2024, but the House was.
On Tuesday, Republicans flipped a total of four House seats, which moves the House to Republican control for the 2025-26 session.
The Republican flip of State House control will usher in a period of “divided government” – in other words, GOP control of one chamber of the Legislature, and Democratic control of the other. Democrats continue to control the Governors office.
What does divided government mean for the Legislature?
Practically speaking, it becomes more difficult for legislation to pass both chambers because that will require Republicans and Democrats to be aligned on details of legislation, and it is no secret there are widespread disagreements between the parties on many topics.
Under unified control (ie. if the same party controls both chambers and the Governor’s office), the majority party only has to ensure all of its own members are on the same page, and the way is cleared to advance legislation – even if they are doing so with no votes from the minority party.
With divided control of the Legislature, we are likely to see more legislation pass the House and the Senate individually, but not be taken up by the other chamber. As a result fewer bills are likely to be sent to the Governor’s desk due to disagreements between Republicans in the House and Democrats in the Senate.
Does the flip in House control mean nothing will happen in Lansing the next two years?
Not necessarily. There are some areas, including development of the state budget, and some traditionally less partisan issues that for one reason or another lend themselves to work across the aisle.
Agriculture is a traditionally more bipartisan topic where we anticipate opportunities to continue work with Republicans and Democrats alike next year. Some issues already have a history the past two years of bipartisan collaboration in Lansing, including lawmakers’ work together with MDARD on the response to HPAI, and bipartisan interest in the future of agricultural and environmental programs.
Legislative leaders in the next session have knowledge of agricultural policy. While Committee chairs will be named early in 2025, the parties have already named leaders in the new House. Rep. Matt Hall will become Speaker of the House in 2025; Rep. Hall represents several MABA members in the flour milling and ag retail sectors in his district, and has taken time to visit and learn about these rural businesses alongside MABA, which we greatly appreciated. Democrats this week elected Rep. Ranjeev Puri as House Minority Leader for the next session. Since being elected, Representative Puri has served on the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Current Michigan House Agriculture Committee member Rep. John Fitzgerald was selected as House Minority Floor Leader for next session.
Additionally, administrative rulemaking processes in the departments continue and provide an opportunity for agriculture to be engaged with our state government.
Does divided government take effect immediately?
No. From now until the end of the year, we enter a period known as “lame duck,” where the current Legislature remains in control. We anticipate a number of legislative proposals will be taken up during this time, and we are working to ensure your interests are represented. MABA will share additional details regarding this end-of-year session as they become apparent.
What is MABA’s involvement in all of this?
For years, MABA has built and maintained a strong reputation for our work with members of both parties on behalf of the Michigan agricultural industry. We spend substantial time meeting with members of the Legislature and their staff, to be sure we know their priorities, and they know ours; while also informing them about issues important to you.
Our work in recent years means we are well-positioned to represent your interests before both the House and Senate, and with the Administration (the Governor’s office, MDARD, etc.), no matter which party enjoys control.
MABA President Chuck Lippstreu is the association’s lead state lobbyist and is active almost daily on these efforts. In addition, thanks to the strong support of MABA members, the association is able to retain one of the top lobbying firms in Lansing, McAlvey Merchant & Associates, which supports our efforts and helps ensure agriculture is connected with lawmakers.
During election season, MABA through our Political Action Committee supports state-level candidates of both parties who have worked together with the agricultural industry. This is one of many ways we build and strengthen relationships with legislators. We are pleased to report all House candidates who received support from the MABA PAC were successful on election night in 2024. Our PAC remains an important way headed into 2025 to help support and build connections in Lansing.
If you have more questions…
Email Chuck Lippstreu at MABA – chuck@miagbiz.org.
MABA will host at least one Summer 2025 Intern to assist our team with a range of membership support, advocacy and communication activities.
This is a unique internship opportunity tailored for emerging leaders interested in agriculture and related industries, Michigan government, and state/federal agricultural policy.
Applications are due by December 6, 2024.
You can view more information about this internship opportunity, and application instructions, here!
We often say the #1 way MABA members demonstrate support for your association’s efforts is through your time and participation. By that measure, we had an excellent kickoff to the fall and winter meeting season, as members from across the state came together for another strong Educational Trust golf outing and our largest Outlook Conference in at least five years. Thank you to all MABA members for your continued support and participation as we head into the new FY. Don’t forget to reach out to us anytime you have a question, concern about an issue, or suggestion for us on the MABA team.
Educational Trust Golf Outing sells out The Fields: On September 4, the MABA Educational Trust hosted its second golf outing of 2024, with a full golf course at The Fields in Ithaca, MI. This was another great year for the Educational Trust, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars and delivered much of that back to students in the form of scholarships, while increasing the Trust fund for the future. Thank you to all golfers, and 2024 hole sponsors! Thanks as well to Ward Forquer, Educational Trust Chairman, and all of those who stepped up with time and contributions to make this event possible.
Outlook Conference returns to Mackinac Island, MI: On September 5-7, more than 200 members and friends of agriculture joined us on Mackinac Island for this year’s Outlook Conference. We appreciate all those who participated as speakers at this special event. Mark your calendar for next year’s conference, which will be September 11-13, 2024.
Michigan CCA Chairman attends ICCA: Tim Schaub with Rob-See-Co, in his capacity as 2024 Chair of the Michigan Certified Crop Adviser Board, attended the Certified Crop Adviser International (ICCA) Board meeting alongside CCA program leaders in Gainesville, FL. Throughout this year, under Tim’s leadership, the CCA program has focused on revising the Michigan exam for the first time in 15 years, and recognizing the efforts of Michigan’s 300 CCAs through Winter Conference activities and MABA’s continued CCA Spotlights. We have appreciated Tim’s dedication, enthusiasm and leadership that has helped position this program for the future!
Educational Briefing on Vomitoxin Testing: In mid-September, MABA partnered with North Dakota Grain Inspection (NDGI) to provide a briefing for grain handlers on Vomitoxin testing best practices. Vomitoxin has presented a complex challenge for the industry, especially last year and this webinar served as a refresher on key testing information. We appreciate Moses Teel with NDGI for leading the webinar.
Registration opened for the 2025 Trade Show: This year’s Trade Show will be January 7-8, 2025 in line with the Winter Conference. Last year’s Trade Show sold out by Thanksgiving, and the 2025 event is already more than one-third full. Head to this link without delay to begin the registration process for your booth!
Thank you to our September Ag Club host, Harvest Solar! Harvest Solar works on solar installations for businesses, including several MABA member locations. We appreciate their support and participation in the Ag Club Breakfast!
Upcoming Events
Visit www.miagbiz.org/events for information on upcoming activities, and registration information.
October 9: Lansing Ag Club hosted by Consumers Energy
November 6: Lansing Ag Club hosted by MSU
December 17-18: Virtual RUP Training Sessions
January 7-8, 2025: MABA Winter Conference and Trade Show
Michigan’s Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program provides resources, continuing education and networking opportunities for professional agronomists spanning our state’s agricultural industry. Nearly 300 Michigan professional agronomists are CCAs, and they bring a wide range of experience and skills to our state’s agricultural industry. Today we are spotlighting Kala Pierucki, a CCA with Keystone Cooperative.
Kala Pierucki’s background in Michigan agriculture started from childhood, growing up on a farm in Pittsford, Michigan. However, after graduating high school, Kala left Michigan for school, attending Allen Community College in Kansas where she played volleyball for two years. She later transferred to Oklahoma Panhandle State University to finish her degree.
While in Oklahoma, Kala met her future husband, a native Michigander and member of a harvest crew working in the plains states. Together they would eventually return to Michigan in 2011.
Back in Michigan, Kala went into agronomy. She started out working with Britton Elevator then after a year, she transitioned to Gro Alliance, specializing in the seed corn industry for two years. Later, in 2014, she joined North Central Co-op, which after several transitions is now known as Keystone Cooperative. Today, Kala plays a vital role in handling corn and soybean production agronomy for Keystone’s Coldwater location. In addition to her role at Keystone, Kala also helps her husband with their corn, soybean, wheat, and hay farm. They also have two girls, ages 4 and 7.
Kala earned her Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) certification soon after finishing college. “It was always a goal of mine,” she said recently. “I wanted to have my CCA on my resume to show I go above and beyond and that I have the knowledge to help growers succeed. And I’ve just maintained it ever since.”
Kala also noted staying current with industry trends and knowledge is key to delivering the best possible advice and solutions. That’s where the continuing education credits come into play, a critical component of maintaining her CCA status. “Seeing what’s new in the industry, keeping up on everything, and getting good refreshers” are all benefits of these credits, she says.
Kala also values the interaction and networking opportunities that come with attending educational meetings. “Many meetings provide a chance to interact with growers who are attending…and it helps you broaden your horizons of different stuff that you may not have thought about,” she says. I always like to go in with the mindset that I’m going to learn two new things at this meeting and take something back.”
As one of the 300 CCAs in Michigan, Kala has set a great example of someone who earned their CCA early in their career, has stuck with the program and reaped the benefits of it!
For more information about the CCA program, visit www.miagbiz.org or www.certifiedcropadviser.org/about-program.
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