02 Jan 2014

Braley for Iowa Announces Jeff Giertz to Serve as Communications Director

By Molly Scherrman
Giertz will serve as campaign spokesperson effective Monday, January 6

DES MOINES, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley announced today that Jeff Giertz will serve as communications director for his 2014 US Senate campaign, effective Monday, January 6, 2014.

"Jeff is a smart and capable communicator with deep Iowa roots and years of campaign experience," Braley said. "He's a terrific addition to my campaign team as we work to spread our message of creating jobs, helping small businesses succeed, and fighting for middle class Iowans."

Giertz, a native of the Quad Cities, first worked for Braley during his successful 2006 Congressional campaign and then served as Braley's communications director during his first two terms in Congress until October 2009.  After his departure, Giertz worked for US Rep. Charlie Melancon's 2010 bid for US Senate in Louisiana and for the North Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus before returning to work as Braley's communications director in September 2011. Giertz also managed Braley's successful 2012 re-election campaign. 

He is a 2005 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Giertz can be reached at jeff@brucebraley.com and (319) 830-6666 (cell).

Bruce Braley was born in Grinnell and grew up in nearby Brooklyn, Iowa. His father, a Marine, fought on Iwo Jima in World War II; his mother was a teacher. Braley worked his way through college and law school building roads and bridges with the Poweshiek County Roads Department and working other jobs. He worked as an attorney for 23 years before being elected to Congress. He knows what it means to be a kid from a working family who just wants the opportunity to succeed. That's why he's running for Senate - to fight to strengthen the middle class, stand up for veterans, provide educational opportunities, and protect the American dream. Braley lives in Waterloo with his wife, Carolyn. They have three children: Lisa, David, and Paul.
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12 Feb 2013

Round-Up: Excitement builds over Braley Senate candidacy

By Molly Scherrman
In case you missed it...

After yesterday's announcement that Rep. Bruce Braley was taking the first steps toward running for the US Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin, one thing is clear: excitement is building about a Braley candidacy.


"I've known Bruce Braley since long before he came to Congress.  He's a good friend, a great congressman, someone who fights passionately for the middle class, for veterans, and for Iowans."  -Sen. Tom Harkin [The Hawk Eye, 2/8/13]

"The local Democratic Party, almost without exception, welcomes [Braley's] candidacy, was hoping he would run, thinks he would be the strongest candidate for the party.  So we are very, very pleased.  I think it takes some of the disappointment away from the Harkin announcement."  -Greg Guelcher, Chair, Woodbury County Democratic Party [Sioux City Journal, 2/7/13]

"There appears to be a lot of support for Braley."  -Ken Sagar, Treasurer, Iowa Democratic Party  [AP, 2/7/13]

"[Braley] has a reputation for being smart, ambitious, and ready for higher office, Democratic insiders have said.  In November 2012, he earned the most votes of any US House candidate in Iowa."  [Des Moines Register, 2/7/13]

"The congressman enters the race to succeed retiring Sen. Tom Harkin as the frontrunner."  [Politico, 2/7/13]

"Iowa Democrats have their man."  [National Journal, 2/7/13]

"[Braley's] entrance into the race gives Democrats a top-tier candidate to hold the seat of retiring Sen. Tom Harkin..."  [Roll Call, 2/7/13]

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28 Jan 2013

Braley Statement on 2014 Senate Race

By Molly Scherrman
WATERLOO, IA -- Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today:

"Over the past 24 hours, I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of encouragement and support from Iowans in every corner of the state urging me to consider a campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2014. Iowans deserve a Senator who will continue Tom Harkin's legacy of strengthening the middle class and standing up for Iowans who don't have a voice. While Senator Harkin's shoes are impossible to fill, over the coming days my family and I will carefully weigh a possible candidacy for Senate."


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16 Oct 2012

Dubuque Telegraph-Herald Endorses Braley for Congress

By Molly Scherrman
Dubuque Telegraph-Herald
October 14, 2012

The election campaign for Iowa's 1st District seat in the U.S. House is a rematch of 2010, when incumbent Democrat Bruce Braley squeaked past Republican Ben Lange by just 2 percent of the vote.
The tight finish two years ago and the close battle under way should not surprise anyone. Whatever the voters decide on Nov. 6, the 1st District will be represented by a hard-working, constituent-centered congressman.
Though they differ on many issues, Braley and Lange offer their respective strengths and a mutual commitment to serve the people of the district, state and nation.
After deliberation and discussion on the pros and cons regarding each candidate, the Telegraph Herald Editorial Board recommends the re-election of Bruce Braley.
Though the candidates and district number are the same, this race is not the same. A big reason is that the 1st District is not what it used to be.
Due to redistricting after the 2010 census and Iowa's loss of a House seat, the 1st is larger and reconfigured. It drops Scott County (Davenport) and adds Linn (Cedar Rapids). It drops Clinton County but adds 10 counties that are not presently represented by Braley. All this means that, for roughly half the voters of the reconstituted 1st District, this will be the first time they will choose between Braley and Lange.
Since being elected to Congress six years ago, Braley has established himself as a leading advocate for military veterans.
He championed the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act, which addressed the adaptive housing needs of veterans. Well before the act became law, Braley worked hard to help Connolly, a military veteran battling multiple health and physical issues after returning from duty overseas, and his family secure housing that accommodated his disabilities. Connolly died before Braley's bill became law in August, but other veterans in similar circumstances should have a somewhat easier time of it because of this legislation.
Another Braley bill with military and Dubuque connections is the Holley Lynn James Act, which brings about reforms better protecting the victims of domestic and sexual assault among service personnel. James, whose family resides in Dubuque, was murdered by her husband while both served in the military.
Braley's efforts have gone beyond helping men and women in uniform. He has pushed hard to reduce the outrageous inequity Iowa suffers in Medicare reimbursements. He battled what might prove to be a lost cause -- keeping small, rural post offices open. He has advocated for student safety through Kadyn's Amendment, to help authorities to more strictly enforce traffic laws concerning stopped school buses.
There is more to Braley's record, and those are the areas where Lange zeroes in on the Democrat. Braley voted for stimulus spending (and borrowing) during the darkest days of the economic recession. Lange, of Independence, tags Braley with the disputed charge that President Obama's $716 billion cut in Medicare funding, which Braley supports, will hurt seniors' access to services. (Lange does not necessarily agree with the GOP platform of scuttling Obamacare -- at least not without a sound plan on what would replace it.)
We share Lange's deep concern over government spending. (He notes that "no one party is to blame" for this mess.) Braley says he has voted for $3 trillion in spending cuts. If so, then he needs to vote for more cuts. This can't continue. Braley calls for bipartisan conversation on solving the huge deficit, including entitlement programs. If he returns for a fourth term, constituents should watch carefully to see if there is more action than talk from Congress, and Braley in particular, toward reducing the fiscal time bomb awaiting our children and grandchildren.
Bruce Braley has been a strong advocate for the citizens of the old 1st District of Iowa. We believe he will do the same if voters of the new 1st District return him to Washington.
Editorials reflect the consensus of the Telegraph Herald Editorial Board.

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07 Sep 2012

Iowa Corn Growers Endorse Braley for Congress

By Molly Scherrman
Johnston, IA, August 31, 2012 - The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed 72 state and federal candidates for the 2012 elections. Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC decisions are made by a bipartisan committee of ICGA farmer-members who consider candidates based only on their support of ICGA policies. Candidates are evaluated on corn policies such as ethanol, transportation, environment, farm bill, taxes, trade, and value-added agriculture, including livestock.

"Agricultural policy is critical to the future of our farming operations. The Iowa Corn PAC supports our leaders who have demonstrated their support for ICGA policy positions and priorities," said Mark Recker, a farmer from Arlington, Iowa, and Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC chair.

ICGA PAC decisions are made through an objective analysis including candidate responses to our survey, voting records, letters and other quantified evidence of support.  The ICGA PAC committee members include farmers from across Iowa, with an equal balance of party affiliation to ensure decisions are based only on corn growers' policies.

Endorsements for the 2012 federal election cycle include Congressman Leonard Boswell (D), Congressman Bruce Braley (D), Congressman Steve King (R), Congressman Tom Latham (R), and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D).

The Iowa Corn PAC also endorsed 67 candidates for the Iowa State Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives for the 2012 election cycle.

For Iowa Senate (13): Merlin Bartz (R), Jerry Behn (R), Thomas Courtney (D), Jeff Danielson (D), Dick Dearden (D), Joni Ernst (R), Randy Feenstra (R), Mike Gronstal (D), Shawn Hamerlinck (R), Tim Kapucian (R), Brian Schoenjahn (D), Steve Sodders (D), and Mary Jo Wilhelm (D).
For Iowa House of Representatives (54): Dwayne Alons (R), Chip Baltimore (R), Clel Baudler (R), Josh Byrnes (R), Dennis Cohoon (D), Peter Cownie (R), Dave Deyoe (R), Cecil Dolecheck (R), Jack Drake (R), Greg Forristall (R), Joel Fry (R), Julian Garrett (R), Pat Grassley (R), Bob Hager (R), Chris Hall (D), Curt Hanson (D), Mary Ann Hanusa (R), David Heaton (R), Bill Heckroth (D), Lisa Heddens (D), Lee Hein (R), Dan Huseman (R), Ron Jorgensen (R), Anesa Kajtazovic (D), Jerry Kearns (D), Dan Kelley (D), Jarad Klein (R), Kevin Koester (R), Bob Kressig (D), Jim Lykam (D), Mary Mascher (D), Kevin McCarthy (D), Helen Miller (D), Brian Moore (R), Dan Muhlbauer (D), Patrick Murphy (D), Steve Olson (R), Kraig Paulsen (R), Ross Paustian (R), Brian Quirk (D), Henry Rayhons (R), Walt Rogers (R), Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D), Thomas Sands (R), Renee Schulte (R), Jason Schultz (R), Jeff Smith (R), Mark Smith (D), Chuck Soderberg (R), Roger Thomas (D), Linda Upmeyer (R), Matt Windschitl (R), John Wittneben (D) and Gary Worthan (R).

Funding for contributions to candidates from the Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC comes only from voluntary PAC donations by ICGA members.  ICGA dues money cannot be used for PAC contributions.

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27 Jul 2012

Braley to Ride RAGBRAI to Anamosa

By Molly Scherrman
WATERLOO, IA -- Tomorrow, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will join the riders of RAGBRAI XL as the annual bike ride makes its way from Cedar Rapids to Anamosa.  

Friday July 27th, 2012

8:00am Rep. Bruce Braley and Carolyn Braley depart for Anamosa
RABGRAI XL
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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23 Jul 2012

Braley Challenges Lange to Series of Three Debates

By Molly Scherrman
Suggests debates in Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, and Dubuque; broadcast on TV and radio

WATERLOO, IA -- The campaign of Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today challenged politician Ben Lange to a series of three debates before the November 6th election, broadcast by Iowa television and radio outlets.
In a written request sent to Lange's campaign, Molly Scherrman, Senior Advisor to Braley for Congress, proposed that the debates be held in Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, and Dubuque - the three population centers of the new First District.
Furthermore, Braley for Congress proposed that debates begin early enough in the fall to ensure that the large number of Iowa voters expected to vote early, by mail or in-person, have a chance to hear directly from the candidats.
"Rep. Braley and Mr. Lange may disagree about many things, but I'm sure they agree that the people of Iowa deserve a chance to know where candidates for public office stand on the issues affecting their lives and our country," Scherrman wrote.  "A series of debates broadcast on TV and radio that offers Iowans the chance to ask the candidates unscreened questions and hear honest, unrehearsed answers is the best way to educate voters about the choice they have this fall."
Braley's campaign proposed the following debate schedule:
  • A televised debate in Cedar Rapids, the largest city in the new First District, broadcast by KCRG-TV on Friday, September 28th.
  • A debate in Cedar Falls, broadcast by Iowa Public Radio on Wednesday October 10th.
  • A televised debate in Dubuque, hosted by Iowa Public Television, on Thursday November 1st.
Braley's campaign also proposed that the debates feature as many Iowa voters asking questions as possible.  Candidates should be denied access to questions before the debate, to ensure candid responses to questions.
A copy of the letter sent by Scherrman to the Lange campaign follows:
--
July 23th, 2012
Molly Scherrman, Senior Advisor
Braley for Congress
PO Box 390
Waterloo, Iowa 50704
Cody Brown
Lange for Congress
PO Box 389
Independence, Iowa  50644
Dear Cody,
Our nation is at a crossroads.  Iowa is facing enormous challenges, from an uncertain economic recovery to a worsening drought.
That's why it's critically important that voters get the chance to hear the candidates for Congress in Iowa's First District answer questions and offer details about who they are, where they come from and what they stand for before the November 6th election.  Questions like:
  • What will each candidate do to create jobs and grow the economy?
  • What candidate will work to strengthen and protect middle class families?
  • Who will protect Medicare and Social Security for generations of retirees to come?
  • Who will work to break the gridlock and dysfunction in Washington?
  • What will each candidate do to keep farmers on their feet during the drought?
Rep. Braley and Mr. Lange may disagree about many things, but I'm sure they agree that the people of Iowa deserve a chance to know where candidates for public office stand on the issues affecting their lives and our country.
A series of debates broadcast on TV and radio that offers Iowans the chance to ask the candidates unscreened questions and hear honest, unrehearsed answers is the best way to educate voters about the choice they have this fall.
That's why today, on behalf of Rep. Braley, I write to propose a series of three debates this fall, broadcast by Iowa media outlets.  We propose an early start-date to the series of debates, to accommodate the large numbers of Iowa voters expected to vote early by mail or in-person weeks in advance of November 6th.
  • First, we propose a televised debate in Cedar Rapids, the largest city in the new First District, broadcast by KCRG-TV on Friday, September 28th.
  • Second, we proposed a debate in Cedar Falls, broadcast by Iowa Public Radio on Wednesday October 10th.
  • Finally, we proposed a televised debate in Dubuque, hosted by Iowa Public Television, on Thursday November 1st.
We also propose that the debate format include as many Iowa voters asking questions as possible.  Furthermore, candidates should not have access to questions beforehand.
We hope you accept this proposed schedule of debates.  Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Molly Scherrman
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20 Jul 2012

Braley for Congress

By Molly Scherrman
In case you missed it...

In a survey of Iowa Republican Party insiders, the blog Patch.com found that the vast majority of respondents doubted that politician Ben Lange could beat Bruce Braley in the fall election.


Red Iowa: GOP Influentials Doubtful Ben Lange can Take Down Bruce Braley
Patch.com
July 20th, 2012

Influential Iowa Republicans are supremely confident of their ability to win two of Iowa's four congressional seats in November's election, but they express far less certainty about the remaining races, including Lange-Braley.
Of the 33 people surveyed in Patch.com's Red Iowa survey, only 32 percent either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that they are confident of a Lange victory. The remainder were either neutral or disagreed.
[...]
The 33 Republicans responding to this Red Iowa survey are a mix of current and former office holders, party leaders, candidates and activists. The survey was inspired by academic research showing that endorsements by party "actors" at all levels ? officeholders, party officials and local activists ? are a critical leading indicator of primary presidential elections.
[...]
Participants in Red Iowa and Blue Iowa are noted, but their answers are kept confidential. If you'd like to take part in either survey, contact Iowa Regional Editor Todd Richissin at todd.richissin@patch.com.
Red Iowa Roster: State Sen. Jack Whitver, Randy Munson, Amanda Freel, Steve Boal, State Rep. Kevin Koester, Carmine Boal, Rick Hermann, Wade Steenhoek, Skye Alison, Mike St. Clair, Jeremy Davis, Cory Adams, Chad Steenhoek, Rick Sanders, Ronald Stenstrom, Mike Nolan, Marilyn Krocheski, Karen Svede, Paul Fell, James Wilson, Dusty Juhl, Elizabeth Kuennen, Robert White, Jeff Angelo, George Forbes, Darrow Uhlenhopp, Jacqui Norman, Ben Rittgers, Randy Yontz, Chad Airhart, Isaiah McGee, Shane Blanchard, Rob Taylor, Jon McAvoy, Mike Elam, Chris McLinden, Arleigh Clemens, Deb Thornton, Cynthia Michel, William Keettel, Natalie Ginty, Debra Derksen, Irene Chalmers-Neubauer, Roger Anderson, Leah Adams, Tim Hagle, Jim Sandager, Polk County Supervisor Robert Brownell, Charles Schneider, Mary Kramer, Jim Aipperspach, Steve Gaer, Eric Woolson, Gregory Hudson, Gary Kirke, Westside Conservative Club Founder Paul Zietlow, State Rep. Scott Raecker, Jacob Chapman, Jill Ellsworth, Polk County Supervisor E.J. Giovannetti, Paula Dierenfeld, Urbandale City Councilman Creighton Cox, Andy Christenson, Connie Schmett, Will Rogers, Matt Nolan, Paul French, Kathy French, Judd Saul, Greg Tagtow, Mac McDonald.
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18 Jun 2012

Washington Politician Ben Lange Dances When Pressed for Social Security Straight-Talk

By Molly Scherrman

Ben Lange says he's a straight-talker on tough issues, but if you listen to him, all you hear is another Washington politician.  It's obvious Lange learned a few things from his years working in Congress.
Just take his comments on Social Security on Friday.
Social Security ensures Iowa seniors have a secure retirement after working their whole lives.  The program also provides critical benefits to people with disabilities and widows with dependent children.
Workers pay into Social Security and in return get a guaranteed income at retirement age and the peace of mind knowing if they're disabled and can't work, or if they pass away unexpectedly, their families will have a safety net to fall back on.
Bruce Braley is working to protect and preserve Social Security for future generations, but Ben Lange wants to radically alter the program in ways that will endanger its very survival.
During Friday's taping of Iowa Press, Lange reiterated his support for ending Social Security as we know it, telling voters he supports a two-tiered system that replaces Social Security for middle-aged workers and replaces it with retirement accounts that are gambled in the stock market.
Yet, when pressed for details on his Social Security privatization plan, Lange began dancing a Washington two-step worthy of Fred Astaire.  

It must have been awkward with IA-02 GOP nominee John Archer sitting next to him, who had just candidly discussed his own plan to raise the Social Security retirement age and end Social Security completely for some retirees.
Watch for yourself: http://youtu.be/vTuQkqusMIw

Lange is apparently incapable of giving a straight, yes-or-no answer to tough questions about his Social Security plan, but Iowans deserve to know details about his radical ideas.  Will Lange give a straight answer to these questions, or will he keep sounding like a seasoned Washington politician?
  1. Does Ben Lange agree with John Archer that the Social Security retirement age needs to be raised?
  2. How would Ben Lange's plan to privatize Social Security affect Social Security disability benefits and benefits for widows with dependent children?
  3. What's the cutoff age for Social Security benefits under Lange's plan?  How old does Lange think you need to be to continue to receive Social Security benefits as promised?
  4. Does Lange agree with John Archer that Social Security should be a "means-tested" program and should be cut off altogether for some middle class workers?
WHERE THEY STAND: SOCIAL SECURITY

Bruce Braley Ben Lange
Wants to maintain Social Security benefits.

Opposes privatizing Social Security.

Opposes raising the Social Security retirement age.

Supports maintaining Social Security benefits for workers who have paid into the system.
Wants to "change" Social Security.

Supports privatizing Social Security.

Wants to take Social Security funds of some middle age workers and gamble them in the stock market.

We don't know if he supports raising the retirement age.

We don't know if he supports making Social Security means-tested.

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13 Jun 2012

Braley and Student Leaders Launch Petition Urging Congress to Stop Student Loan Interest Hike

By Molly Scherrman

Stop Student Loan Interest Hike

If Congress doesn't act by July 1st, student loan interest rates will double

WATERLOO, IA -- Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) and over 100 Iowa student leaders today launched an online petition urging Congress to act immediately to prevent a looming increase in student loan interest rates.

If Congress fails to act by July 1st, the interest rates for federally subsidized Stafford student loans will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.  An increase of that magnitude would mean a student taking out the maximum Stafford student loan of $23,000 could pay an additional $4,600 in interest over a 10 year repayment period.

"The clock is ticking, and unless Congress comes together and acts, student loan interest rates are going to double," Braley said.  "Iowa students have the third highest student loan debt burden in the country at graduation.  They can't afford to be put any further behind.

"That's why we're calling on Iowans to sign our petition urging Congress to act now.  This shouldn't be another issue bogged down in partisan gridlock.

"Our colleges and universities are avenues of economic opportunity.  If America is going to compete successfully in the global economy, we need to keep college within reach for everyone who wants to go."

The petition, including the full list of student leaders who are leading the petition with Braley, can be viewed and signed at the following link.  Braley will hand-deliver the signed petition to Congressional leaders after gathering online signers:

http://www.brucebraley.com/StudentLoans

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