Dean gets a powerful Iowa farm union activist endorsement

MASON CITY -- Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean picked up the endorsement of a key Iowa farm activist on Friday.

Chris Petersen, of Clear Lake, the vice president of the Iowa Farmers Union, said Dean is new blood and has earned his endorsement.

"He's bringing new and younger people in," Petersen said. "That's something the Democratic Party should have been doing a long time ago."

The Iowa Farmers Union represents family farmers and ranchers on issues ranging from farm income to rural health care.

Petersen supports Dean policies that boost profitability for family farms and small businesses.

"I support a living wage for working people because they are the backbone not Wal-mart, pharmaceutical companies, corporate agribusiness and special interests," he said. "It's supposed to be about people, putting people first."

He said Dean has the political courage to go toe to toe against Bush.

"A doctor winning the presidency gives us an opportunity to cure some of our country's ills," he said.

Dean said Petersen's endorsement is an important step.

"He could have significant influence," Dean said. "He's a good guy to have on your side."

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