President George W. Bush turned to Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns - a surprise choice - as his new agriculture secretary on Thursday. Johanns, 54, is a Republican now serving his second term as governor. As governor, he provided $85 million in property tax relief and encouraged economic development, including construction of ethanol plants in rural areas.
"I know firsthand his deep commitment to a strong farm economy," Bush said in a brief White House appearance to announce his choice for the Cabinet position. "He's a strong proponent of alternative energy sources such as ethanol and bio-diesel."
Bush's selection ended two weeks of speculation about the successor of Ann Veneman, who headed the $80 billion US Agriculture Department throughout Bush's first term. The White House appeared intent on bypassing Washington insiders but lobbyists had focused on the chance a farmer would be selected, rather than a veteran Farm Belt politician.
Johanns grew up on an Iowa dairy farm, then moved to Nebraska where he became a lawyer and politician.
"I am very, very proud of my ag background," Johanns said. "I do feel that those years on that dairy farm did much to define who I am as a person."
Johanns was welcomed by farm groups, who pointed to his roles in trade missions to boost US farm exports, among them pork sales to Mexico, and his first-hand knowledge of modern-day agriculture. Johanns has two children and is married to Stephanie Johanns, a former state senator.