Boozman reelected to Senate, awaits word on ag panel chair
Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman cruised to reelection Tuesday, but what role the twoterm incumbent will play in his next stint depends on which party clinches control of the chamber after the midterms.
Boozman won a third, six-year term by defeating Democrat Natalie James, Libertarian Kenneth Cates and two write-in candidates in the low-profile campaign.
Solidly red Arkansas won't play a starring role in resetting the balance of power in Washington, but if Republicans take control of the Senate back from Democrats, Boozman is in line to chair the powerful Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.
It could be days before the final votes — and which party holds the majority — are known.
Boozman, 71, is ranking member of the panel that is currently chaired by Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.
Agriculture is hugely important in Arkansas, a largely rural state that is the nation's leading producer of rice and home to Tyson Foods, the largest poultry producer in the U.S.
He's also introduced legislation that would give the regulatory authority over cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether to the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, over which the agriculture committee has authority.
The committee also recommends funding for agriculture services such as crop insurance and farm-related disaster payments. It also oversees funding for land conservation efforts and nutrition programs such as school lunches and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps.