The 2024 election has closed with control of the Senate and presidency passed to Republicans. The presential race has been secured by candidate and former president Donald Trump, with 295 electoral votes as of this afternoon. We will learn about key leadership positions in coming weeks, and clarity on agriculture policy and personnel may come as a new transition team is formed.
Republicans flipped three seats in the Senate—Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia—to secure a majority of at least 52, though the final total is still unknown. Given the change in majority party, ASA expects Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) to move into the role as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) into the ranking member role in the new year.
Among ASA’s closely watched Senate Agriculture Committee members were Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Fischer won her election in what became a surprising battleground while Brown lost to Republican candidate Bernie Moreno.
Additionally, several House Agriculture Committee members’ races have been called. Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Don Davis (D-NC), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), and Eric Sorensen (D-IL) emerged victorious in tight races. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) lost to his Democratic challenger, Josh Riley. Among House races not yet called are those of Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Don Bacon (R-NE) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). Many House races remain outstanding and will determine control of the chamber and composition of committees. ASA will continue to monitor developments related to election outcomes, the lame duck session expected to begin next week, and the transition of government that will officially occur in January 2025.
