Minnesota Native Receives Key Appointment from White House

The White House announces a new appointment for the position of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.

Minnesota, Censky, USDA
Image Credit: The American Soybean Association

WASHINGTON — Another Minnesota native has been nominated by the White House for a key position within the administration.

The White House announced on July 13, that Stephen Censky has been put forth as the nominee for the position of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.

Censky, who currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri, is a born and raised Minnesotan. According to the White House profile, Censky grew up just outside of Jackson, Minnesota where he lived on a farm that grew corn, soybeans, and raised livestock.

Currently, Censky is the CEO of the American Soybean Association, where he has worked for the past 21 years.

Prior to joining the American Soybean Association, Censky worked on the hill, first starting out as a legislative aid to former U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor (R-SD), before working at the USDA during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush White House years as an administrator. He eventually took on the role of Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, working on trade negotiations worldwide.

Censky’s appointment has the backing of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

“Our work has only just begun in delivering results for the people of American agriculture, and the experience and leadership skills of Stephen Censky will only enhance our efforts, Perdue said in a prepared statement. “He will bring enthusiasm and a dedication to this country which will be great assets to USDA’s customers.  I am extremely pleased with the nomination for this key position and am hopeful that the Senate will take it up in short order.”

The appointment also has the backing of the American Soybean Association.

“Steve has guided our organization for 21 years and in that time he has proven himself as an effective, dedicated and visionary voice on behalf of soybean farmers nationwide,” ASA president Ron Moore. “Nobody in agriculture is better equipped to assist Secretary Perdue in meeting the needs of farmers with practical solutions than Steve. He is a perfect fit for this role and we give him our strongest endorsement.”

President Trump’s administration has had a tough time getting confirmations through for key positions. According to a Washington Post, Trump has 49 confirmed positions as of July 13, 157 are waiting for confirmation hearings out of 564 key positions. At this time during the Obama administration, he had 201 confirmed, 154 awaiting confirmation.

 

 

Preya Samsundar

Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.