Rodney Davis Loses Support from Key Constituents
Following contributions from “anti-animal agriculture activists,” Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) has lost the support of some leading agriculture groups just days before the June 28 primary.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
When the Illinois Beef Association announced its endorsement of Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Oakland) in her primary contest with Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville), it may not have raised an eyebrow. Miller and her husband raise cattle, are members of the Beef Association, and have likely been involved in the organization for a long time.
Then you read the statement.
Dr. Paul Walker, a McLean County beef producer and President of the IBA, wrote a brief line supporting Miller, then takes Davis to task.
“Rodney Davis has taken large sums of money from animal rights extremists during his time in Congress. These are the very groups working to put Illinois farmers out of business. Accepting money from these fringe activists sends a bad message and goes against supporting the livestock industry. How can a rural Congressman say he supports farmers while affiliating with these anti-agriculture activist groups?”
Not the kind of way ag groups talk about a central Illinois conservative on the House Ag Committee. So we did some digging.
(Disclosures: I have a long-standing friendship with Josh St. Peters, the EVP of the Illinois Beef Association and have done some non-policy PR work for the organization in recent years. I worked for Davis’ first race in 2012 and worked against Miller in her first primary in 2020).
From what we’re told, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association sent its top Washington lobbyist to a DC fundraiser. When the lobbyist arrived, Davis was seated at a table with “animal rights” activist Wayne Pacelle, a former President of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), who resigned amid scandal in 2018.
Pacelle has been advocating for legislation that would, essentially, ban commercial livestock production operations. The donations were reportedly made by HSUS, Pacelle’s new activist organization, and even included activist and “Tiger King” star Carole Baskin. Sources say NCBA and its Illinois affiliate asked Davis to return the donations, but he declined.
Multiple sources say Davis’ Chief of Staff, Bret Manley, made profanity-laced phone calls to both NCBA and to St. Peters in Illinois, attacking them for their criticism of the donations.
Davis’ campaign did not respond to our request for comment.
The Beef Association board originally chose not to endorse in the race, but decided to go in for Miller this week when the race got close.
“The negative agenda of these animal rights extremists matters to our members, and its a political priority for our industry,” said IBA Executive Vice President Josh St. Peters. “Mary Miller is not just a Congresswoman, she’s a family farmer and cattlewoman who knows and understands these policies.”
Not every previous Davis fan has soured. Adam Nielsen, the top federal lobbyist for the Illinois Farm Bureau, says the organization remained committed to Davis’ re-election effort. Nielsen reiterates Farm Bureau endorsements are chosen by local leaders, and he said Farm Bureau made the “right decision.”
“I don’t have any problem with the policy positions [of Davis], Nielsen said. “He’s done a tremendous job representing Illinois agriculture. He’s really plugged into the House and has demonstrated an ability to get things done.”
