Affordability has been a thorn in the side of both Pete Ricketts and Roger Marshall, as farmers in their states are feeling the adverse effects of high fertilizer prices caused by the Iran war, which they both support. And despite promising relief for their constituents facing a higher cost of living, Drop Site News reveals that they’re both accepting donations from fertilizer industry PACs under investigation by the DOJ for colluding to raise prices. Ricketts has even pointed farmers to that investigation while accepting contributions from a company named in it.
“Pete Ricketts and Roger Marshall are shameless hypocrites, saying they’re working to bring fertilizer prices down then cashing checks from the companies accused of colluding to keep them up,” said American Bridge 21st Century Spokesperson Gus Nathanson. “Between that and their support of the Iran war, these two senators clearly have no interest in addressing the affordability crisis their constituents are facing.”
Read more about Ricketts and Marshall taking money from price-fixing fertilizer companies:
- Pete Ricketts told constituents, “We’ve got to get these fertilizer prices down,” during an August town hall. Asked about rising costs, he cited instability involving Iran and the Justice Department’s investigation into possible anti-competitive practices.
- His campaign and leadership PAC however received $20,000 from Koch’s and Nutrien’s PACs in the 2025–26 cycle: $17,500 from Koch and $2,500 from Nutrien.
- Ricketts acknowledged in March that disruptions to oil and urea shipments through Hormuz “impacts our farmers and ranchers by hitting diesel and fertilizer.”
- Ricketts cast 12 votes opposing Iran withdrawal resolutions or efforts to advance them. He again defended the war at his September 1 reelection debate.
- Roger Marshall said in April, “Kansas farmers are getting hit by a fertilizer market that’s working against them.”
- His campaign and leadership PAC have received a combined $97,000 from PACs affiliated with three companies named in Bloomberg’s reporting on the DOJ price-fixing investigation: $75,000 from Koch’s PAC, $17,000 from Nutrien’s PAC, and $5,000 from Mosaic’s PAC.
- Marshall has also repeatedly opposed efforts to end the military operations disrupting fertilizer supplies.
Published: Sep 4, 2026