CFBF/WG endorse Schwarzenegger for Governor
Date: September 6, 2003
California Farm Bureau
President Bill Pauli, right, introduces
Arnold Schwarzenegger at Sacramento rally.
The California Farm Bureau Federation's board
of directors and the board of Western Growers,
citing concerns about a depressed agricultural
economy and an increasingly burdensome
regulatory climate in the Golden State, have
endorsed gubernatorial candidate Arnold
Schwarzenegger in the Oct. 7 special election.
The endorsement was formally announced at a
rally at the CFBF headquarters building today in
Sacramento, featuring the gubernatorial
candidate and area farmers and ranchers.
"We believe that Arnold Schwarzenegger will
ensure that California agriculture continues to
provide safe, reliable, high-quality food
through responsible stewardship of our natural
resources for all Californians," said CFBF
President Bill Pauli. "On the issues that matter
to farmers and ranchers, this candidate
understands that to restore economic health to
the state, we need to support and encourage a
healthy and economically viable agriculture,
which provides food, jobs and environmental
benefits."
Schwarzenegger said California must do
everything possible to help its farmers.
The two major agricultural organizations say
that significant issues facing the state's No. 1
industry include government regulations,
excessive fees and taxes, and workers'
compensation insurance costs. In introducing
Schwarzenegger at the rally, Pauli and WG
Chairman Edwin Camp said that the candidate will
help rebuild a positive business environment for
the state's important farming sector.
"Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced a
platform to revitalize California's economy and
he has made it clear to us, the farmers of the
state, that agriculture is fundamental to
rebuilding a strong California economy. This is
not what we've seen with the current
administration," said Camp "Instead of
supporting our already over-burdened industry,
agriculture is being driven out of business with
additional state costs, mandates and regulatory
burdens. Arnold has told us that he plans to
protect farmers and protect businesses. We need
new state leadership and we believe Arnold is
that leader."
Schwarzenegger told farm leaders that he
needs support from California agriculture to win
on Election Day. He called on farmers and
ranchers to make sure all of their friends and
relatives are registered to vote and that they
all plan to vote on Oct. 7.
"We are highly motivated to ensure
California's farmers and ranchers help to get
out the vote in every county throughout the
state," said Pauli.
The California Farm Bureau Federation
represents nearly 90,000 member families in 56
counties in the state. Western Growers is an
agricultural trade association whose members
grow, pack, and ship 90 percent of the fresh
vegetables and approximately 70 percent of the
fresh fruit and nuts in California and Arizona.
Contact: Bob Krauter
(916) 561-5550
E-mail:news@cfbf.com
Permission for use is granted, however,
credit must be made to the California Farm
Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.
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