By Will Stevenson/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The political arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau is endorsing State Senator Darin LaHood in the special election for the 18th Congressional District seat vacated by Aaron Schock.

Riverton farmer Allen Entwistle is a part of “ACTIVATOR” — and said when he and a dozen others questioned LaHood and Quincy Democrat Rob Mellon, there was a reason LaHood was better than Mellon.

“[LaHood] understands agriculture, and his opponent basically knew nothing about agriculture,” said Entwistle.  “[Mellon] said he was willing to learn, but he knew nothing about it.”

Entwistle said Mellon didn’t so well answering ag questions from the committee.

“I was really surprised that he would come in and talk to an ag group, and not be updated no more [sic] than what he was,” said Entwistle.  “He kept telling us ‘I’ll have your back’ and ‘I will learn the issues as we go.’  As important as the things are today, we’ve got to have someone that can go on their feet running.”

Entwistle said whoever is elected will have to go to work right away in Washington, dealing with things like the federal Water Resources Development Act, and trying to get the EPA to back off on that and other measures.

ACTIVATOR points to LaHood having been endorsed by them during his time as a state legislator, too.