25
Apr
2016
Grassley faces another week of pressure in toughest reelection fight yet
DES MOINES, Iowa – Since his immediate refusal to hold hearings to replace Justice Scalia, Chuck Grassley has been under intense pressure from Iowans. This week Grassley continued to show signs that he’s feeling the pressure ahead of what he now agrees will be his toughest reelection ever.
Toughest reelection campaign ever. When asked on Friday if this would be his toughest reelection campaign ever, Grassley told the Des Moines Register “the answer’s yes.” Grassley went on to cite his stance on the Supreme Court as one of the issues impacting his race. According to the Associated Press, “Sen. Charles Grassley acknowledges he's facing his toughest re-election race in decades.”
Skipping his first convention since 1980 to campaign for reelection. Earlier this week Grassley cited his need to campaign for reelection as a reason why he may skip the Republican National Convention for the first time since 1980. According to the Associated Press “He says he's gone to every convention since 1980 and always swears he'll not go again. He may campaign for re-election in Iowa instead.”
Rallying Republican groups to go on the attack. Another irrefutable sign that Chuck Grassley is facing the race of his lifetime came when he rallied the National Republican Senatorial Committee to release an attack ad on Patty Judge. Their involvement this early in the race is a clear indication that he’s more vulnerable than ever.
Politicizing SCOTUS. Chuck Grassley took time this week to join a conference call with the anti-choice group Susan B. Anthony List and reverse his stance on injecting his political views into the Supreme Court debate. According to WHO-TV, Grassley “says his blockade is not due to personal political feelings, but he told an anti-abortion group the opposite Tuesday.” Susan B. Anthony List is one of the groups already airing TV ads in Iowa in support of Grassley.
Making America Great Again. This week also showed another decisive primary victory for Donald Trump – more bad news for Chuck Grassley, who will likely try to distance himself from Trump. That’s easier said than done for Grassley, who introduced Trump at a rally before the Iowa Caucuses, saying “We have an opportunity once again to make America great again.”
“With every passing week, Chuck Grassley is realizing that his cloak of invincibility is gone,” said Patty Judge for Iowa Campaign Manager Sam Roecker. “This is going to be an incredibly tough race for him. Patty Judge will run an aggressive campaign in Iowa, giving voters a clear choice in November.”
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