Ousted Kansas representative wants top USDA post

Outgoing Kansas U.S. House Rep. Tim Huelskamp, who lost his re-election bid in the Republican primary, says he was approached by President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team about becoming secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

The Topeka Capital Journal reports the outspoken Republican says he sent his resume to Trump’s team, which he says reached out to him this week. Huelskamp holds a doctorate in agriculture policy from American University in Washington, D.C., where he graduated in 1995.

However, he was kicked off the House Agriculture Committee in 2012 and lost his reelection bid in one of the largest agriculture-focused districts in the nation. Kansas farm groups endorsed his challenger, Roger Miller, who now takes Huelskamp’s seat in the House.

And former USDA Secretary Dan Glickman said he would be surprised if Huelskamp is chosen due to his “adversarial relationship with congressional leaders.” Glickman says: “You cannot have burned bridges,” adding “You have to work with Congress” as USDA Secretary.

Source: agnetwest.com