Rep. Elissa Slotkin is currently embroiled in controversy surrounding her family farm in Holly, Michigan, which she has used as a symbol to connect with voters in the Great Lakes State. Despite claiming to own a farm that grows soy and corn on nearly 300 acres, the reality is that her property is only 10 acres in size. Slotkin has been accused of exaggerating the size of her farm and taking advantage of an agricultural tax exemption, despite no evidence of farming actually taking place on the land. Despite these discrepancies, Slotkin maintains that soybeans are planted on the property and it is classified as vacant agricultural land.
The Slotkin family farm has been in Elissa Slotkin’s family for three generations, since 1956, and was previously a working cattle farm. However, it appears that the property is not currently being used for agricultural purposes. While Slotkin claims that soybeans are grown on the land, aerial shots show no proof of farming activity. Slotkin and her brother were gifted their homestead for free via a quitclaim deed, but they are not connected to Slotkin Holly Associates, the owner of the adjacent property. Despite the controversy surrounding her farm, recent polls show Slotkin leading her opponent by at least 10 points in the Senate race.
Slotkin has faced criticism for her own farming status and taking advantage of agricultural tax exemptions while attacking her opponent as a carpet-bagger. She claims that her farm grows soybeans, but there is no concrete evidence of farming activity on the property. Despite past claims of leasing the land next to her home for farming, there is no indication of a farming lease in her recent financial disclosure. Slotkin’s opponent, Mike Rogers, has accused her of avoiding property taxes in Washington, D.C. while claiming agricultural exemptions in Michigan, effectively shifting the burden to local law enforcement, firefighters, and schools.
Before her election to the House in 2018, Slotkin had a career as an intelligence analyst with various government agencies. She returned to Michigan in 2017 to launch her campaign for Congress. Slotkin has used her family farm as a symbol of her connection to the working-class voters in Michigan, but the controversy surrounding the property has raised questions about her credibility and authenticity. Despite the claims of farming activity and agricultural tax exemptions, there is little evidence to support Slotkin’s assertions about her farm.
The controversy surrounding Slotkin’s family farm has become a focal point in her closely fought Senate race in Michigan. Accusations of exaggerating the size of her farm, taking advantage of tax exemptions, and lack of evidence of farming activity have called into question Slotkin’s credibility as a candidate. Despite Slotkin’s lead in recent polls, the controversy surrounding her farm and her attacks on her opponent’s ties to China have raised concerns among voters in the swing-state race. It remains to be seen how Slotkin will address these issues and whether they will impact the outcome of the election.
