Published: October 05, 2009 11:09 am      

Hutchison getting Farm Bureau endorsement

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has picked up the coveted endorsement of the Texas Farm Bureau's political arm in her race against incumbent Gov. Rick Perry.

Farm bureau leaders are endorsing Hutchison in stops around the state Monday. Bureau president Kenneth Dierschke cited Hutchison's record in dealing with property rights, the Endangered Species Act and the farm bill, among other issues.

The bureau has 421,000 members.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner says the Farm Bureau is an insurance company and is providing payback to Hutchison for her support of a federal bailout for the financial industry. The bureau backed Perry in his last two runs for governor. Miner says Perry is a strong advocate for private property rights.

Miner pointed out Perry has received major endorsements from the Texas Association of Realtors and the Texas Chemical Council. He's also backed by social conservative groups, such as Texas Right to Life.