U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak was in South Georgia Monday touring the state’s largest ethanol plant. His visit comes just a few days after Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood came to Macon.

Vilsak toured First United Ethanol at the invitation of 2nd District Congressman Sanford Bishop. The secretary also announced 13-million dollars in funding for rural broadband in South Georgia.

Last week 8th District Congressman Jim Marshall introduced LaHood at a transportation conference in Macon. Marshall and Bishop are both Democrats locked in tight reelection races.

Mercer University Political Science Professor Chris Grant says it’s a way to get voters attention.

“This is an opportunity for the administration to bolster some Democratic showing, maybe see what they can do in terms of turning the tide in these races but without bringing someone very controversial in.”

Marshall’s race against Republican challenger Austin Scott and Bishop’s race against Republican Mike Keown are considered among the most competitive congressional races in the nation.

Tags: First United Ethanol, Congressman Jim Marshall, Congressman Sanford Bishop, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak