Johanns resigns, Connor is tabbed as acting ag boss

By Larry Dreiling

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns resigned from office Sept. 20, paving the way for his return to his home state of Nebraska and a likely announcement for his candidacy to the U.S. Senate.

In a White House Rose Garden ceremony, President Bush accepted Johanns’ resignation and praised him as an outstanding advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural America.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better secretary of agriculture,” Bush said.

With Johanns at his side, the president said that Johanns had told him he was interested in returning to Nebraska to continue his public service.

“I have decided to pursue a new opportunity to serve this great nation,” Johanns said, without making any specific reference to a run for the Senate. Johanns, 57, was Nebraska governor in 2005 when he resigned to take the secretary of agriculture post.

Bush all but endorsed Johanns’ campaign plans, saying, “If it’s Mike’s decision and Nebraska’s choice, he would make an outstanding member of the United States Senate.”

Johanns thanked Bush for giving him the opportunity to serve in the president’s Cabinet, and for his direction related to the 2007 farm bill.

“Your suggestion to talk to as many farmers, ranchers and stakeholders as possible in developing the administration’s 2007 farm bill proposal proved very wise. As you know, their comments formed the foundation of our proposals, which focus our programs while providing unwavering commitment to U.S. agriculture,” Johanns said.

“Nearly 200 newspaper editorials nationwide have applauded the administration’s vision. Several of our ideas are now part of the House-passed farm bill and my hope is that even will be adopted by the Senate.”

Three other Republicans already are in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel. They are Attorney General Jon Bruning, former Omaha mayor and former congressman Hal Daub, and Schuyler financial advisor Pat Flynn.

On the Democratic side, Bob Kerrey, who has served as governor and as U.S. senator for two terms in Nebraska, is considering a bid for the open seat. Currently the president of the New School, a university in New York’s Greenwich Village, Kerrey already has informed the university’s trustees that he may resign to run for the Senate race.

With Johanns’ resignation, Bush announced current Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Connor would be named Acting Secretary. Johanns praised his successor.

“I can assure you that I leave the farm bill finalization in supremely capable hands. Chuck has been intimately involved in the deliberations, from the development of our proposals to his attendance at virtually every hearing during the House mark-up,” Johanns said.

“Few people are as knowledgeable and insightful about farm bill policy. He is supported by some of the most dedicated civil servants in the federal government.”

Prior to his tenure at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Conner served on the National Economic Council beginning in November 2001 as a Special Assistant to the President for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance, focusing primarily on farm bill issues.

From 1997 to 2001, Conner was President of the Corn Refiners Association, Inc., a national trade association representing the corn refining industry. For 10 years previous to that job, Conner served as Republican staff director of the Senate Agriculture Committee. He also worked as a professional staff member for the committee from 1985 to 1987. Prior to joining the committee’s staff, Conner worked as an agricultural legislative assistant to Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. Conner grew up on a family farm in Benton County, Ind., which remains in the family and is operated by his older brother. Conner received a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University in 1980.