Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 3/9/20

The House Agriculture chairman finally ended the rising speculation about his reelection plans, unveiling his decision to run again in a low-key press release just before 5 p.m. on Friday.

"This wasn't an easy decision for me because our country is so polarized right now, but that's also why I want to ask the voters of western Minnesota to support me again," Peterson said in a statement. "There aren't many like me left in Congress. Rural Democrats are few and far between and I'm concerned that rural America is getting left behind."

Peterson may be in for the fight of his life to keep his seat in Minnesota's conservative 7th congressional district. His top challenger is former state lawmaker Michelle Fischbach, a GOP recruit with backing from the Republican Party.

Peterson's reelection margins have narrowed in recent races, and Republicans are eyeing 2020 as the year they finally beat him, as yours truly reported in November.

In a statement, Fischbach previewed how she intends to portray Peterson during the race.

"Collin has only added to our country's division by voting for Nancy Pelosi as speaker and enabling her to unleash her partisan impeachment sham against President Trump," she said.

"The people of the 7th district support President Trump, and they will soundly reject Collin Peterson and the socialist policies of open borders, free health care for illegal immigrants, taxpayer-funded abortion, and mandatory gun buyback programs that his preferred presidential candidate supports."

Sugar money: But Peterson has major agricultural interests in his corner, most notably the sugar lobby. Shortly following Peterson's announcement, the Committee for Stronger Rural Communities — a Super PAC created by American Crystal Sugar that is backing only Peterson this election cycle — blasted out in its support.

Peterson's leadership of House Ag could boost his reelection effort, the progressive-leaning Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-LaborParty Chairman Ken Martin hinted at in a statement to the Star-Tribune of Minneapolis.