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Democratic Party/Biden Campaign Communications
Selected Iowa Democratic Party/Biden Campaign Communications Showing Examples of Activity Leading Up to the Nov. Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2020
Biden for President Iowa Launches State’s Sportsmen & Sportswomen for Biden, Announces Leadership Team
Today, Biden for President Iowa launched Iowa Sportsmen & Sportswomen for Biden, a statewide coalition of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts committed to electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The bipartisan group has come together because they know that a Biden-Harris administration would share their values and protect our ability to hunt and fish, while President Trump’s policies have been disastrous to those who treasure the outdoors. The group plans to take action over the final stretch to engage with and persuade Iowa’s outdoors enthusiasts to support Vice President Biden.State Auditor Rob Sand: “I support Biden not just because his policies are better for hunters and anglers, but because ethics are a part of his life — just as they are a part of hunting and fishing. Joe Biden as someone will prioritize the conservation of Iowa’s natural resources and public lands, and will protect those traditions for generations of Iowans to come. Donald Trump has gutted important wildlife habitat conservation initiatives, and ignored CWD, so we need a new president who will stand up for us. That’s Joe Biden”
State Representative Ras Smith: "I'm thrilled to be a Sportsperson for Biden, because Joe knows that strong conservation practices not only make good habitat for fish and game, but also gives longevity to Agriculture, the economic engine of Iowa. Joe will make sure to conserve game species, habitats and our clean waters, through science-based management. He will work to stop the spread of CWD in our deer and elk herds, and to prevent Asian carp from the Mississippi River from overrunning our waterways.”
Kate Giannini, Washington County Soil Commissioner: "With climate change upon us, it is more important than ever to educate others on land ethics and act on outdoor and natural resources protection. As a hunter, conservationist, and mother, I have a deep moral responsibility to ensure the next generation receives safe drinking water, recreational opportunities, and protection and enhancement of our natural resources."
Biden for President Iowa also announced the Iowa Sportsmen & Sportswomen for Biden Leadership Council, which is made up of individuals from across the state, including:
- State Representative Ras Smith (Co-Chair)
- Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand (Co-Chair)
- State Representative Chris Hall
- AFSCME President Danny Homan
- Blue Grass City Councilwoman Emilyne Slagle
- State Senator Kevin Kinney
- Kate Giannini, Washington County Soil Commissioner
- Ken Sagar, AFL-CIO
- Landra Reece, Student
- Liz Garst, Farmer
- Iowa House Minority Leader Todd Prichard
- Mary Colleen Homan, AFSCME
- Former State Representative Patti Ruff
- Adam Kiel, Agriculture & Conservation Professional
- State Representative Bob Kressig
- State Representative Dave Jacoby
- Lanon Baccam, IANG OEF Veteran
- John Norris, Co-owner of State Public Policy Group and Essman Research
Biden for President
September 20, 2020
Fifteen Days Before Early Voting Begins, Biden for President Iowa to Blanket Hawkeye State with Surrogates
This Sunday and Monday, Biden for President Iowa will hold virtual events across the Hawkeye state with surrogates including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, former aide to President Barack Obama Reggie Love, actress Jennifer Garner, and activist Mark Shriver.On Sunday, September 20, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar will join Iowa State Representative Marti Anderson for AndersonFest, a virtual event supporting Anderson’s re-election efforts. In the evening, former aide to President Barack Obama, Reggie Love, will host a statewide virtual phonebank to help elect Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Democrats up and down the ticket in Iowa this November.
On Monday, September 21, actress Jennifer Garner will join New York Times bestselling author and lifelong child advocate Mark Shriver for a conversation about the issues Iowa children and families are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Garner and Shriver will also discuss how a Biden-Harris administration will ensure families have the support they need and build Iowa’s economy back better.
Iowa Democratic Party
September 18, 2020
Battleground Iowa to Hold Weekend of Action Following National Black Voter Day
As part of Battleground Iowa’s grassroots strategy to bring more voices into our party and drive voter turnout heading into November, more than 800 Iowans serving as VoteLead volunteers have been trained by local organizers on how to connect with their community and educate others on how to safely vote by mail. These volunteer leaders are dedicated to helping get out the vote in their communities from now until Election Day.
Already, over 1,500 volunteers statewide with nearly 2,000 shifts are registered to participate in the Weekend of Action and help flip Iowa blue up and down the ballot in November.
Event details and RSVPs can be found at Mobilize Battleground Iowa.
For Immediate Release
September 11, 2020
Polk County Democrats Announce Vice Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris as Steak Fry Headliner
Des Moines, IA- The Polk County Democratic Party is thrilled to announce Vice Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris as a headline speaker for the Polk County Steak Fry on Saturday, September 12 in Des Moines. Senator Harris joins Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Congressman Ruben Gallego for this year’s drive-in event.
“It’s an honor to welcome Senator Harris back to the Steak Fry, this time as our Vice Presidential candidate. We were proud to welcome her here on her first trip as a potential candidate in 2018. Her entrance into the 2019 Steak Fry was iconic. Now, we can’t wait to hear from her as she starts the last leg of this historic 2020 campaign here in Iowa,” said Sean Bagniewski, Chair of the Polk County Democrats.
Senator Kamala Harris has served as the United States Senator for California since 2017. She served as the California Attorney General from 2011 to 2017. While Attorney General, she made headlines for fighting the big banks responsible for the subprime mortgage crisis. She also introduced the California Homeowner’s Bill of Rights and took on predatory lenders. As a Senator, she has been a vocal proponent for the Affordable Care Act, for better educational opportunities, and for quality jobs for all Americans.
Democratic candidates from across Iowa will be part of the speaking program as well, including Congresswoman Cindy Axne, Congressional candidate J.D. Scholten, and U.S. Senate Candidate Theresa Greenfield.
For the first time, the Steak Fry will be held at the Airplane Field at Des Moines Water Works Park. Attendees will be able to watch the program on a large screen constructed for the event and listen on the radios in their vehicles. Steak, chicken, and vegan dinners will be delivered directly to their cars. Social distancing rules will be enforced and face masks will be required when attendees are outside of their vehicles. Tickets are still $35 and are on sale until 6:00 pm on Friday at www.polksteakfry.com.
The event is open to credentialed media only. To request press credentials, please email polkdems@gmail.com.
WHAT: Polk County Steak Fry
WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 2020, 6:30 PM
WHERE: Des Moines Water Works Park, 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
RSVP: Press must request credentials by emailing polkdems@gmail.com
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Iowa Democratic Party
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Reckless Statewide Iowa Trump Campaign Bus Tour Comes As COVID-19 Cases Spike
DES MOINES — During the same week Iowa surpassed 70,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, the Trump campaign kicked off a 12-stop bus tour through some of the state’s hardest hit counties. The three-day long celebration of Trump’s failure on all fronts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly out-of-touch as Iowa remains a worldwide hotspot for coronavirus cases with one of the highest rates of infection in the nation.
The river-to-river tour of a dozen counties does not publicize any social distancing measures. Iowa is one of the only states without a mask mandate — making a multi-city event during a global pandemic even more dangerous.
As the Trump bus puts Iowans across the state at risk, take a look at the facts on President Trump’s failed leadership on COVID-19 and the historic recession:
- Under Trump’s leadership, Iowa has surpassed 70,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 1,167 deaths, making it a worldwide hotspot.
- Hospitalizations due to coronavirus are at a three-month high right now in Iowa — proving the pandemic is far from over.
- Iowa City and Ames have emerged as two of the most dangerous metro areas in the nation for the coronavirus crisis.
- More than 76,000 Iowans are still out-of-work over six months since the COVID-19 crisis began.
- Last month’s jobs report showed that across the country, companies are making permanent job cuts instead of temporary furloughs as the pandemic rages on.
Biden for President
August 7, 2020
ICYMI: Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe Hosts Iowa Roundtable on Joe Biden’s “Made in America” Plan
Yesterday, former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe hosted an Iowa roundtable focused on Vice President Joe Biden’s “Made in America” plan to mobilize American ingenuity, bolster American industrial and technological strength, and ensure the future is “made in all of America” by all of America’s workers so that we can build modern infrastructure and an equitable, clean energy future.
Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe: “For the folks in Iowa who are tired of listening to Donald Trump and his false claims it is time for real leadership and that’s what Joe Biden’s going to do…He’s going to incentivize us to become carbon free by 2050, and get us back in the Paris climate agreement, which we will do immediately. There are huge opportunities for us and I know Joe Biden, I’ve worked with him, he and I were partners in rebuilding the Virginia economy, and I know Joe Biden will [rebuild the economy] as President of the United States and he will do it for Iowa… And let’s talk about biofuels [Trump] has sided over and over with big the Exxon Mobils of the world against the biofuel industry, which is so critical to Iowa. So let’s do a case and point right there, booming business and Trump has nothing to help [the biofuel industry]. ”
Iowa Federation of Labor President Charlie Wishman: “What we really need is action and Joe Biden is a man of action. He always has been and he always will be and that’s something we know…Joe Biden will be the type of President who will bring both sides together to actually get something done on infrastructure…Joe Biden has made a commitment to us that labor is going to have a seat at the table when it comes to straightening out trade deals and making sure jobs are coming back to America Joe Biden is the man to get things done to rebuild the economy.”
State Representative Wes Breckenridge.“One of the things I like about Joe Biden’s ‘Build Back Better’ plan is he is ready to take off on day one and start to take what’s in this plan to revitalize made in America, invest in clean energy, and move forward and it’s exciting to see that…As somebody that’s a representative for rural Iowa, Jasper Country, I look at us as the leader in clean renewable energy…So when you think of clean energy and jobs an opportunities this plan feeds right into developing and expanding those opportunities through investment, technology, and new innovation…We need somebody like Joe Biden that’s going to come in here to make sure that we put a priority on clean energy. The plan that he set forth and the focus on clean energy is the right plan moving forward.”
Susan Judkins: “What really does excite me looking forward to a Biden presidency is his level of experience and really knowing how important it is to have a collaboration between the federal and local levels [of government].”
Hall of Fame event, June 26, 2020
I wish were I meeting with all of you under different circumstances, but instead we're separated by a deadly virus and far far too many Americans have died. We have more COVID infections than any other country in the world. Millions are still out of work. We're still grappling with a legacy of systemic racism, which is kept far too many from realizing their full share the American Dream. Today we're dealing with multiple national crises, all at once.
We need real leadership now. Now. We need leadership that recognizes the real threat of this pandemic and doesn't just wave a white flag of surrender, like the president has.
We need leadership that brings everyone to the table to rebuild an economy that works for working families, creates millions of good paying jobs for the future.
We need leadership that strives to finally deliver on our founding principles, ensure that all men are not only equal at creation but treated equally throughout their lives.
That's what my friend Senator Tom Harkin [s) did with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law 30 years ago today. That's why tonight we're honoring Iowa Legislative Black Caucus for its work to pass a bill that makes critical progress toward addressing police misconduct.
As I said from the outset, the soul of America's is at stake in this election. That's why I'm running. That's why I stand united with every single Democrat in our shared mission to beat Donald Trump and restore decency, dignity, and leadership to the White House so we can begin to heal.
You know we have to do more than just beat Trump. We have to keep the House of Representatives, and we have to win back the United States Senate. We have to lead and deliver meaningful change for the millions of people who are hurting all across this nation.
That means we need strong state parties, strong county parties, strong Democratic organizations at all levels across every state. Iowa is a critical battleground state for our campaign. We're going to do everything we can to make sure Democrats win up and down the ballot all across Iowa this November. We have to do everything we can to elect Teresa Greenfield to be the next US Senator, to re-elect my good friends, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer and Congresswoman Cindy Axne...to elect two great Democrats to Congress JD Schoelten and Rita Hart—both are going to be in the next Congress, God willing—and to flip the Iowa State House and the Iowa State Senate.
Folks, the stakes have never been higher. We have to work harder than ever. We need to stand up as a nation, to stand with workers, to stand with every person who's ever been knocked down, counted out or left behind. If we stand together as one America, we'll win the battle for the soul of this nation. Our children are counting on us and I know we can do this. This is the United States of America. There's not single thing we can't do, if we do it together. Thank you all so much, and et's get to work.
Roundtables in June-early August 2020
Aug. 7 - U.S. Rep. Ruben
Gallego, Iowa Leaders Host
Iowa Roundtable on Joe Biden’s Agenda
for the Latino Community. Joined by
Biden for President Latino Leadership
Committee member and Des Moines Public School
Board Director Rob Barron, Iowa State
House candidate Sara Huddleston
and Iowa Latino Hall of Fame Inductee
Lilián Sanchez.
Aug. 6 -
Former Virginia Gov.Terry McAuliffe Hosts
Iowa Roundtable on Joe Biden’s “Made
in America” Plan
July 24 - U.S. Sen. Amy
Klobuchar, Iowa State Sen.Pam
Jochum, Iowa State Rep. Ruth Ann
Gaines, candidate for IA-67 Eric Gjerde, and
Executive Director of Iowa Caregivers
Di Findley
Hold Iowa “Build Back Better”
Roundtable
July 17 - Secretary Tom
Vilsack, State Rep. Ras Smith, and Mayor Quentin
Hart Host Iowa “Build Back Better”
Roundtable
July 10 - U.S. Rep. Abby
Finkenauer and State Rep.Kirsten
Running-Marquardt Host Iowa “Build
Back Better” Roundtable
June 13 - State Rep. Ras Smith and Iowa Leaders Host Roundtable on Joe Biden’s “Lift Every Voice” Plan for Black America
Iowa Dems Kick off General Election with Statewide Weekend of Action
DES MOINES — This weekend, Iowa Democrats are kicking off the general election with a statewide weekend of action to organize around our values, bring new voices into our party, and engage our communities. County parties will host more than 50 events across the state including voter registration phone banks, community cleanup projects, and more. A full list of events can be found here.
“Iowa Democrats are leading with our values,” said IDP Chair Mark Smith. “Donald Trump and the GOP have broken their promises to Iowans and Tuesday’s turnout is just one more proof point that voters aren’t buying their empty rhetoric. Democrats dominated the record-setting Primary Day turnout — earning 52,000 more votes than GOP candidates, including areas that were once considered Republican strongholds. Join us this weekend to keep growing our grassroots ground game to hold the GOP accountable and elect leaders who will put the needs of Iowans first.”
June 2, 2020
Statement on Tonight's Primary Results
Primary process exemplifies benefits of vote-by-mail for the general election
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith released the following statement on tonight’s historic primary turnout and results:
“This primary, Iowa voters turned out in record numbers to change the direction of our state and support a strong slate of Democratic candidates who will fight for our values.
“The road to restoring progressive leadership and values for our nation goes through Iowa. Theresa Greenfield is going to end Senator Ernst’s raid on Iowans’ pocketbooks and be a voice for our communities in the U.S. Senate. Representatives Axne and Finkenauer are proven leaders, and we’re going to make sure they have two more colleagues in Washington with Rita Hart and J.D. Scholten fighting for working families. And we’re going to flip our legislature to bring a long-overdue check on Governor Reynolds’ dangerous agenda.
“More than 487,000 Iowans and counting voted safely by mail, giving county auditors and poll workers more room to safely conduct in-person voting centers. As officials prepare for the general election, today’s turnout demonstrates how important voting-from-home is for hundreds of thousands of Iowans. Our state is tuned in, we value our vote and our safety, and we need to repeat this process again in November to protect our state from another round of COVID-19 spread.
“Congratulations to all of tonight’s Democratic nominees and thank you to all of the candidates who ran for office. This is the most important election of our lifetime, and together we’re going to elect real change from the top down to make sure our system creates equal opportunities and justice for all Americans.”
June 1, 2020
MAJOR: Iowa Democrats Lead Voter Registration
DES MOINES — Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith on the historic number of registered Democrats:“For the first time in at least two decades, there are more registered Democrats in Iowa than there are GOP or non-party registered voters. These steadily growing numbers make one thing clear: Iowans are ready to elect Democrats up-and-down the ticket. Just since the start of the year, more than 60,000 Iowans have registered to vote for Democrats and the momentum is on our side as we move into the general election to turn Iowa blue.
“Donald Trump and Senator Joni Ernst are underwater with Iowa voters after years of broken promises and billion-dollar corporate handouts that benefit Wall Street CEOs at the expense of working families. Voters aren’t buying their empty rhetoric, and we’re organizing in all 99 counties to elect Democrats up-and-down the ticket who will work to build opportunities for all Iowans.
“I’m proud of the thousands of volunteers across the state who are working hard to bring these new voices to our party. Iowa Democrats are the best grassroots organizers in the country, we’ve got fantastic candidates on the ticket, and we’re organizing to win up-and-down the ticket in November.”
Copyright © 2020 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in
Action. All rights reserved.