GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the front-runner in Iowa, called for the "virtual elimination" of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and cuts to farm subsides in his failed 1994 U.S. Senate race against Ted Kennedy.

Romney opponents are now are citing a debate and several Boston news articles in which the former Massachusetts governor said, among other things, "I also believe we're going to have  agricultural subsidies reduced."

Iowa landowners received $14.8 billion in farm subsidies from 1995 to 2005.The state ranks second in subsidy payments, according to an Environmental Working Group study based on U.S. Department of Agriculture figures.

The Web site YouTube has a video posted of a much younger Romney making anit-subsidy remarks in Massachusetts.

Romney's Web site. "Issue Watch" has separate sections for taxes, education, health care and technology but no distinct area for agricultural issues.

When contacted by Iowa Independent, a Romney spokesperson said he would call back with a comment on the matter.

In 2004, another Massachusetts candidate faced similar charges of unfriendliness to agriculture in Iowa after it was reported that he called for gutting the agriculture department. John Kerry overcame that issue and went on to win the Iowa caucuses in 2004. But the story led off the Drudge Report in the days before the Iowa decision.

As for Romney, detractors are pointing to the following sources: In the 1994 Senate race, Romney Backed "Virtual Elimination" of the Department of Agriculture. "Romney also … backed the virtual elimination of the Department of Energy and the Agriculture Department to cut the deficit." (Andrew Miga, "GOP Senate Hopeful Romney Takes Campaign Show to D.C.," The Boston Herald, 7/13/94)

– Romney Proposed Cutting Farm Subsidies In Order To Help Balance Federal Budget. "Romney: … Supports balanced budget amendment and line-item veto. Would favor creating a commission to recommend federal budget cuts. Hassuggested savings could be made through cutbacks in the federal work force, reforms in the Medicaid system and cuts in farm subsidies." ("Candidates On The Issues," The Boston Globe, 11/6/94)

– "In His Own 1994 Campaign, Romney Said Federal Farm Subsidies Should Be Cut." (David Guarino, "Rappaport Family Farm Benefits From Subsi-dies," The Boston Herald, 4/1/02)

– Romney: "I also believe we're going to have agricultural subsidies
reduced." (Mitt Romney, Romney-Kennedy Senate Debate, Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA, 10/25/94)

Editor’s Note: The Romney campaign offered this comment Wednesday.