Thompson earns Farm Bureau endorsement for Congress

» September 10, 2012 «

Citing his work on estate tax reform and his reputation for bipartisan problem solving, the California Farm Bureau Federation announced its support for Mike Thompson's re-election to Congress. Thompson, D-St. Helena, seeks election in the 5th Congressional District, representing Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Solano and Contra Costa counties.

California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger noted that Thompson has championed estate tax reform intended to make it easier to transfer family farms and ranches from one generation to the next.

"Mike Thompson understands the importance of keeping the family farm in the family," Wenger said. "When a member of a farm family passes away, survivors can be forced to sell land and property, just to be able to pay the taxes on the estate. Mike wants to find a solution that works to sustain family farming in California."

A member of Congress since being elected in 1998, Thompson is co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Wine Caucus and also serves on the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. He is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats who support fiscally responsible solutions to the nation's problems.

"Mike has earned a reputation in Congress for working with members of both parties to solve problems," Wenger said. "His willingness to cross the aisle to get things done, and his experience as a small vineyard owner, make him even more effective in working for family farmers and ranchers."

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 74,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.

Contact:
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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