Farmfest featured two congressional candidate forums with 14 candidates from five congressional districts. That was followed by a senate candidate forum with another seven people on the stage. The senate forum took on a populist tone, especially ahead of Tuesday’s primary. Republican Alycia Gruenhagen voiced frustration with the lack of broadband access in rural areas. “At the same time, free markets; I don’t know why the federal government needs to be involved in that.” Libertarian candidate Rebecca Whiting offered a similar sentiment. “We’re going to take it all the way back to you having the power to do what you want to do with your life and as long as it’s not hurting anybody, nobody should be able to tell you no.” The endorsed Republican candidate, Royce White, answered a question about animal agriculture by saying farmers and their livestock will soon be seen as non-essential. “You need people who aren’t afraid to say that and I’m that candidate,” said White. “Because of that, they call me an extremist and I’m proud of it.” Incumbent Senator Amy Klobuchar has a primary challenger, Steve Carlson, who was seated next to her during the forum. Carlson is running in the Democratic primary but seemed to favor the Republican presidential ticket when responding to a question about immigration. “I stay with what (Donald) Trump said, let’s first secure the border then the good people can be allowed to stay.” The other candidates participating in the senate candidate forum were Republican Joe Fraser and Independent Joyce Lacey.
