TOPEKA – The Kansas Livestock Association this week announced its support for Great Bend physician and businessman Roger Marshall in his bid to become U.S. representative for the First District of Kansas, a move that meant a lot to Marshall.
“Gathering an endorsement of this magnitude at this point in the race is truly humbling,” said Marshall, a Republican challenging incumbent Tim Huelskamp of Fowler.
“The livestock and cattle industry in Kansas accounts for tens of thousands of good paying jobs and billions of dollars in state commerce,” he said. “Having the support and confidence of Kansas cattlemen and ranchers is essential to winning this election.”
KLA President Matt Perrier, a rancher from Eureka, said Marshall would provide the strong leadership needed to represent livestock producers on key issues in Washington, D.C.
“Our business faces stiff legislative and regulatory challenges that not only require someone with conservative principles, but one who also will listen and lead,” said Perrier. “Roger Marshall has the right combination of personal skills to represent the interests of livestock producers and others in the First District.”
Perrier added, “Kansas agriculture was without representation on the last Farm Bill after nearly a century of inclusion on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. It cannot risk another Farm Bill without having a voice.”
“Kansas cattlemen, ranchers, small businesses, and Republicans alike have watched with head-in-hand the last six years as our current representative stayed busy chasing newspaper headlines instead of paying attention to the needs of the Kansas cattle and Ag industry,” Marshall said. “In Congress, we will work tirelessly on behalf of the livestock, feed, and Ag industry, as we help expand world markets to Kansas beef and agricultural products.”
A Kansas native, Marshall maintains ties to his farm upbringing through involvement in a cattle feeding operation. He is a board member for Farmers Bank and Trust, a community bank that has served central Kansas for 100 years.
Marshall earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Kansas State University, before graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He received his medical doctorate in 1987. After completing his residency, Marshall moved home to start his OB-GYN practice in Great Bend in 1991. Since then, he has delivered more than 5,000 babies.
He has served as chairman of the board of Great Bend Regional Hospital for 14 years. Marshall also is a commissioner of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
Marshall would bring more than business experience to Congress, supporters note. He served seven years in the Army Reserves, where he trained a mobile hospital support unit and rose to the rank of captain.
He and his wife, Laina, have four children and most recently became first-time grandparents.
KLA is a 5,200-member trade organization representing the state’s livestock business on legislative, regulatory and industry issues at both the state and federal levels. The association’s work is funded through voluntary dues dollars paid by its members.
