Lt. governor candidates to debate at state fair

Agricultural issues will take center stage as candidates for lieutenant governor debate Wednesday at the Indiana State Fair.

Republican Sue Ellspermann, Democrat Vi Simpson and Libertarian Brad Klopfenstein will face questions about rural issues and their agricultural platform beginning at 3 p.m. at the Farm Bureau Building Banquet Hall. The event is hosted by AgrIInstitute.

Questions will come from four agriculture journalists representing Farm World, The Farmer’s Exchange, Brownfield Network and Hoosier Ag Today. While the questions are not yet outlined, they are expected to address risk management, property taxes, land use and environmental issues, AgrIInstitute Executive Director Beth Archer said.
In addition to presiding over the state senate and performing the duties of the governor in his or her absence, the lieutenant governor serves as head of the State Department of Agriculture.

The event’s date is more than coincidence, Archer said. It has taken place at the Indiana State Fair for the last five election cycles and will once again coincide with Farmer’s Day. The debate brings the candidates’ potential role as head of Indiana agriculture policy to the forefront, Archer said.

“Nearly 20 years ago, we decided it was important to lift up that particular role and create a debate for the industry to hear what the three candidates have to say about agriculture and how they would serve the industry,” Archer said.

While the entire 17-day fair is centered on agriculture, Farmer’s Day is particularly focused on the people in the industry, Media Relations Director Andy Klotz said.
“That is one of the 17 days where we really try to celebrate the farmers in our state and all that they do,” Klotz said. 

In addition to the debate, Farmer’s Day features a variety of events aimed at celebrating farm life.

The day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the Old Fashioned Pancake Breakfast sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. Awards will be presented for historic farms and river-friendly farmers.

It’s a chance for old friends to get together and celebrate farm life, said Andy Dietrick, Farm Bureau’s director of public relations. So highlighting agricultural policy on the day just makes sense, Dietrick said.

“It’s a busy day for a lot of us in agriculture,” Dietrick said.

Other favorite events include a celebrity cow-milking contest at 11:30 a.m. and a larger version of the fair’s daily parade. Just as popular is the pioneer village, which will feature crafts and activities.