Kailee Buller

Kailee Buller grew up in Auburn with a father who spent 41 years as a correctional officer and a mother who nurses people with Alzheimer's disease.¹ She worked multiple jobs through school and became the first in her family to complete a four year degree.¹ Her degree is a bachelor's in political science from the University at Buffalo.²

She and her husband, Eric, have three young children.¹ Buller's professional background includes leading the National Oilseed Processors Association and the Edible Oil Producers Association as president and CEO.² Her campaign also describes years spent repaying student loans and leaving Central New York to find work in her field.¹

During the first Trump administration, Buller held Agriculture Department leadership roles including chief of staff to the deputy secretary.² She was selected as the department's chief of staff in January 2025 and was also appointed to Virginia's Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services.²

The Republican challenger to John Mannion supports employer childcare incentives, expanded childcare tax credits and upfront healthcare pricing.³¹ In the October debate, she backed comprehensive immigration reform including border enforcement, improved agricultural visa programs and a path to citizenship, while saying she wanted to avoid a prolonged war with Iran.⁴