JONESBORO - Former U.S. Attorney and candidate for the U.S. Senate, Conner Eldridge and North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp stopped in Jonesboro this afternoon, visiting the Arkansas State University's College of Agriculture campus. During today's visit, one of many stops in a packed, three-day schedule, Eldridge and Sen. Heitkamp toured the Arkansas State University School of Agriculture, where they met with professors, students, and community members and spoke with them about the importance of agriculture to the Arkansas and nation's economy.
"We must to do everything we can to help our farms and farming communities prosper," said Eldridge. "Rural Arkansas must not be forgotten, dismissed or lost in the shuffle. The challenges we face in Arkansas require a strong advocate who is going to stand up for agriculture, rural economies, and all Arkansans. That is why I continue to aggressively travel the state in this campaign, and why I am running for the Senate."
An eastern Arkansas native, Eldridge grew up on a rice and soybean farm and has committed throughout the campaign to fight for farmers in rural Arkansas. Sen. Heitkamp currently holds a leadership position on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
"Everyday in the U.S. Senate, I fight for rural America because too often their voices aren't heard," said Heitkamp. "States like Arkansas and North Dakota, where agriculture is the backbone of the economy, need a strong voice in the U.S. Senate to make sure farmers and ranchers have the tools and resources they need to thrive. As a Senator, I know Conner will be that voice for Arkansas agriculture and I'm excited to be in Jonesboro with him today to talk about how we can work together to fight for rural America in the U.S. Senate."
"I understand that agriculture is the bedrock of the Arkansas way of life," said Eldridge. "A top priority of mine in the U.S. Senate will be to vigorously represent rural Arkansas -- something I learned from my grandfather working on his rice, soybean and wheat farm in eastern Arkansas. I will fight tooth and nail to make sure farmers are represented in Washington."