March 28, 2024

Naig tops Mingo native in Sec of Ag race

Republican Mike Naig has come out on top in the race for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. In a competitive race, Naig edged out Democrat and Mingo native Tim Gannon, 50.48 percent to 46.48 percent during Tuesday’s election.

Naig received 646,928 votes to Gannon’s 595,703. Third-party candidate Libertarian Rick Stewart garnered 38,354 votes with write-ins making up 587 of the ballots cast.

Appointed to the position by Gov. Kim Reynolds when sitting Ag secretary Bill Northey was tapped to serve as the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation in the United States Department of Agriculture earlier this year, Naig joined the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship as Deputy Secretary in 2013.

Prior to his time in government, the life-long farmer, who grew up on his family’s century farm outside of Cylinder, spent his entire career working in agriculture.

Naig defeated Gannon, who announced his run for the position in February. Like many in his family before him, Gannon has been involved in politics for decades, working for former Iowa Governor and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack from 2009 to 2017. Serving in various positions, Gannon focused on improving risk-management options for farmers and ranchers, creating jobs in rural communities and improving the delivery of USDA services and programs to all Americans.

When not on the campaign trail, the 1995 Colfax-Mingo alum continues working the fields of his family’s 950-acre century farm in northwest Jasper County. In his family for generations, the farm extends to Ira and along the Chichaqua Valley Trail and Indian Creek.

The secretary of agriculture position is a four-year term. It has been filled by only five people in the past 45 years, with Republican Robert H. Lounsberry serving from 1973 to 1987, Democrat Dale M. Cochran from 1987 to 1999, Democrat Patty Judge from 1999 to 2007, Republican Northey from 2007 to 2018 and Naig filling the seat following Northey’s departure.

Neither Naig or Gannon were available for comment before press time Tuesday night.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com