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7th Congressional District candidates discuss tariffs, future of family farms at town hall
Republican Michael Alfonso and Democrat Fred Clark discussed a range of agricultural issues, including tariffs, rising costs and the challenges facing Wisconsin's family farms.
Local chapters of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Wisconsin Farmers Union hosted a virtual town hall Thursday with the two candidates running for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District.
Republican Michael Alfonso and Democrat Fred Clark answered questions from the organizers and members of the public on a range of agricultural and rural issues.
Tariffs and agricultural trade
One of the topics discussed was how tariffs and trade disputes affect Wisconsin farmers.
Alfonso said tariffs are needed to address unfair trade practices by other countries.
"We've been getting absolutely taken advantage of at a world stage in trade. We need fairness in our markets. We can't have free trade without fair trade," Alfonso said.
Alfonso also promised to direct tariff revenue to those most affected by trade disputes, with farmers at the top of the list.
Clark criticized the Trump administration's approach to tariffs, saying it has created "economic chaos" and disrupted markets farmers have invested money in developing.
"I'm not opposed to tariffs on principle, but we need to have a tariff policy that's thoughtful and consistent and stable," Clark said.
He also called for Congress to take a greater role in setting tariff policy, with input from farmers and agricultural producers.
The future of family farms
The candidates were also asked what steps they would take in Congress to help the next generation of farmers get started.
Alfonso called for lowering startup costs and reducing capital gains taxes for farmers who sell land to other farmers. He also called for more transparency about who is buying American farmland.
"Because at the end of the day, I want more family farms, and I will support any program that will bring more of them," Alfonso said.
Clark pointed to Wisconsin's aging farm population and the high cost of land as challenges facing the next generation of farmers. He called for tax incentives, grants and loans to help people purchase farmland and take over existing farms.
"If we create the right incentives through tax incentives and through grants and loans to really help get people working the land that have the desire and the enthusiasm to do it, I think we can make a lot of progress there," Clark said.
Alfonso and Clark will face each other in the November 3 election. You can watch the full debate here.
Maddie Schaffer is a reporter at WBZH and WHSM, covering the Hayward area and surrounding areas in the Northwoods. Email her at maddie.schaffer@civicmedia.us.
