29 Sep 2014

Sen. Tom Harkin Statement on Iowa Senate Debate

By Sen. Tom Harkin
Des Moines, IA - US Sen. Tom Harkin issued the following statement after the Iowa Senate debate tonight:

"Bruce Braley was the clear winner of tonight's debate. Bruce did a great job showing Iowans who he is and what he stands for - someone who grew up in small town Brooklyn, Iowa, worked hard to put himself through college, and has never forgotten where he's come from. Bruce showed a command of the issues that matter to Iowans and demonstrated clearly that he'll never stop working to stand up for Iowa in the US Senate."
# # #
29 Sep 2014

Bob Quast for Term Limits

By Bob Quast

Two stories - an ocean apart - recently gripped America. ISIS revealed what pure evil looks like after the beheadings of innocent Americans, women and children. An elevator video of Ray Rice and his future wife revealed what domestic violence really looks like. These two unrelated stories - when combined - are what my family has dealt with since 1999 when my sister Lynnette was tortured by her abusive husband, murdered in their Ohio home, and discarded in garbage dumpsters throughout Michigan.

Lynnette's killer is free today. I asked my US Congressman, Bruce Braley, for his help in stopping the early prison release and federal interstate transfer of Lynnette's killer. Mr. Braley did nothing. I've proposed a two-sentence Lynnette's Law that could protect society from vicious killers; our government's first duty is to protect Americans from violent threats, foreign and domestic. Bruce Braley has refused for more than three years now to even respond to my repeated requests for his help on this law. This motivated me to enter this US Senate race and offer Iowans a better choice on November 4.

Beyond my personal mission of domestic violence awareness, prevention, and government funding (and getting tough on violent crime), I have three key solutions to the dysfunction that is Washington DC:

  1. Term Limits - Both parties are broken, blaming the other without solving our real problems. Some describe me as a JFK Democrat, but I'm a lifelong independent...just like 38% of registered Iowa voters. I'm working to represent all 3.1 million Iowans in DC for one term of six years. Two terms should be the limit.

  2. Energy Made in the USA - Iowans benefit from cheap electricity made mostly from American fossil fuels. Bruce Braley voted for a carbon tax that would destroy Iowa's middle class, raising energy costs by thousands for every Iowan. I'm fighting for careers in domestic energy, often union protected, paying $60,000-100,000 per year; Mr. Braley's vision is part-time work at $10.10/hour. Low-cost American energy is essential to the return of Made in the USA products and jobs. I support renewables like Iowa's wind industry, while promoting conservation as the best solution to protect our environment. Mr. Braley's top dark-money supporter is Tom Steyer, who made his billions from the fossil fuels he now opposes for political gain.

  3. Accountability - Voters are desperate for a leader who supports our US Constitution and the rule of law (Google "Dave Brat"), while fighting big government waste and the endless DC scandals. My fight for accountability is well documented at www.Life101byBob.com . During Mr. Braley's eight years in DC, our US debt has exploded from $8 to $18 Trillion! Finally, Mr. Braley shamefully initiated the illegal IRS targeting of conservatives. Let's replace the IRS with a Fair Tax.

I am running to offer Iowans common sense solutions to some of the toughest problems America has faced in my lifetime. Please visit www.BobQ2014.com to learn more about your third and best choice for US Senate.

 

Most respectfully,

Bob Quast for Term Limits

Independent Candidate for US Senate in Iowa

26 Sep 2014

PATE ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGY PLAN TO SIMPLIFY MILITARY VOTING

By Pate for Iowa

TURNS A 60 DAY PROCESS INTO 5 MINUTES

 

 

(Cedar Rapids, IA)  Today, former Iowa Secretary of State and Mayor of Cedar Rapids, Paul D. Pate released his plan to use technology to make it easier for those serving in the military to vote.

 

"I am committed to ensuring those who defend our freedoms have every viable option to participate in our elections."   My goal is to make Iowa one of the top states in military voting by pursuing state of art technology which allow overseas military voters to turn a 60-day process into less than a 5 minute transaction," stated Pate.

 

Pate unveiled today he will pursue funding sources from the Department of Defense to implement innovative technology like South Dakota's military voting program.  The Department of Defense office of Federal Voting Assistance previously made grants available to help fund improved technology.

 

By combining advanced technology and using the security of the Common Access Card (CAC) issued by the Department of Defense for validation, military absentee voting will be secure and simplified for military voters to register to vote, request and receive an absentee ballot and mark an absentee ballot within a few minutes.  The absentee ballot is then printed and returned to the local county auditor for counting.  This new technology significantly reduces paperwork required by our military personnel and substantially shortens the process while increasing security.  The Common Access Card issued by the Department of Defense which verifies and authenticates the identity of the military voter is the key component

 

Pate shared, "I believe, if new technology is available that allow our military personnel secure an easy access to voting we should honor them with our efforts to make this possible.  Currently, as a result of diligent efforts put forth by our local county auditors and the Secretary of State's office, Iowa is recognized as an "All Star" state by the Military Voter Protection Project."

 

A lifelong Iowan and small business owner, Pate is recognized as a Patriotic Employer by the National Committee for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

 

-30-

26 Sep 2014

Loebsack to speak at Mercy Medical Center's 125th Anniversary Celebration in Clinton

By Rick Martin

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he will be speaking at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of Clinton's Mercy Medical Center. The celebration will be held Friday, September 25.

Mercy Medical Center's 125th Anniversary Celebration

Mercy Medical Center

1410 North 4th St.

Clinton

Dave will arrive at 1:30pm
26 Sep 2014

Brad Anderson statement on audit report showing mismanagement in the Iowa Secretary of State office

By Lara Henderson
DES MOINES, Iowa - Brad Anderson, candidate for Iowa Secretary of State, released the following statement in response to a new audit report detailing current Secretary of State Matt Schultz' mismanagement of the office:

"The Auditor's report released today detailing the incredible mismanagement of the Secretary of State's office under Secretary Matt Schultz is troubling and should concern all Iowa taxpayers. Iowa taxpayers deserve a Secretary of State who will do the job of Secretary of State rather than chase headlines and keep political cronies on the payroll without requiring them to show up for work.  Iowans value work and have no tolerance no-show political appointees, especially at a time when our local election officials face tight budgets and struggle to pay for updated voting equipment.  

"While my opponent in the Secretary of State's race says he wants to 'continue Secretary Schultz's good stewardship of the office,' I believe the time has come for new, fiscally responsible leadership in the office. I urge all the candidates in the Secretary of State's race to join me and call on the no-show employees identified in the audit to either immediately document their work or return the salary they were paid to the general fund."
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26 Sep 2014

Join Bruce Braley in Davenport!

By Jeff Link

You're Invited

Please Join Special Guest

Senator Sherrod Brown

for a fundraising reception in support of

Braley for U.S. Senate

Monday, October 6th
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

The Home of Sylvia and Bill Roba
1137 Kirkwood Blvd.
Davenport, IA

CONTRIBUTION LEVELS
HOST $1000
SPONSOR $500
PATRON $250
SUPPORTER $125
Suggested Contribution $25/person

If you would prefer to RSVP offline, contact Jessica Cullen at Jessica@BruceBraley.com or

25 Sep 2014

Brad Anderson releases plan to increase voter turnout among young adults and students

By Lara Henderson
Anderson's plan will empower young adults, educators to participate in the election process

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Joined by Cedar Rapids educators, Iowa Secretary of State Candidate Brad Anderson today announced his plan to increase voter turnout among eligible young adults and students in Iowa. 

"Iowans understand that our communities, our state, and our nation work best when everyone's voice is heard," said Brad Anderson. "To become first in the nation in voter turnout we must increase turnout among all Iowans, especially first time voters and students. Through the development of an educational program and Digital Election Ambassador program, I will work with students and educators to find innovative ways to increase civic participation and empower young adults to make a difference in their community."

Anderson's plan empowers students and educators by ensuring they have the resources necessary to teach and learn about the election process in Iowa. Additionally, Anderson has proposed creating a Digital Election Ambassador program, which will identify and facilitate conversations about the importance of participating in our democracy. 

Anderson, a small business owner from Des Moines, has proposed a series of initiatives to increase voter participation across the state. More information about his previous policy proposals is available online at www.andersonforiowa.com.
ANDERSON PLAN TO INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT
AMONG IOWA STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Partner with local educators to offer students the opportunity to learn about the election process in Iowa, particularly the process for voter registration and early voting.
  • As Secretary of State, I will work with local educators to offer an educational program that emphasizes the importance of civic participation and outlines the process for voter registration and early voting. Students and young adults have busy schedules and it can often be a struggle to find the time to make it to the polls on Election Day. We are fortunate enough to live in a state that provides voters with multiple ways to cast their ballot and the Secretary of State's office must play an instrumental role in informing Iowans of these options, especially for our state's newest voters.

Work with students and educators to develop a Digital Election Ambassador program to reach Iowa's newest voters where they are.
  • Since announcing my candidacy, I have travelled the state talking about my plan to modernize the office of Secretary of State and increase access to the polls through 21st century solutions.  Whether its Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, young people are becoming more and more connected to the Internet. As Secretary of State, I will work with students and educators to use new forms of digital communication to reach Iowa's youngest voters where they are: in the classroom and on the Internet.

  • To expand the reach, impact, and visibility of these efforts, the office of Secretary of State will identify and facilitate Digital Election Ambassadors comprised of students and educators who are engaged with their communities and concerned about the future of our state. These ambassadors will be provided with the resources needed to inform their friends, classmates, and students of the voting processes of Iowa and the importance of civic participation. Nothing is more important or powerful than peer-to-peer communication, and through the Digital Election Ambassador program students will be encouraged and empowered to talk with other students about the importance of participating in our democracy.
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25 Sep 2014

Thursday in Marshalltown: Iowa Party Phase II Unveiled

By Narcisse for Governor 2014
What: An Iowa Worth Fighting For Unveils Phase II of Iowa Party
When: Thursday Sep 25, 6:30pm
Where: Marshalltown, Iowa - Marshalltown Library 
Who: Jonathan Narcisse, Iowa Party Candidate for Governor 

On September 25, 2009, An Iowa Worth Fighting For (www.aniowaworthfightingfor.com) was unveiled in Marshalltown, Iowa  as the launch of a six year, Phase I campaign to establish a new Iowa political movement - the Iowa Party.

On the 5th Anniversary of the birth of this movement, September 25, 2015, the complete vision of the Iowa Party and what it means to Iowans will be unveiled at the Marshalltown Library (Community Room B), 105 W Boone St.

At 6:30 p.m. former Des Moines Board of Education Director and Iowa Party gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Narcisse will present the Iowa Party vision including areas of political emphasis, the Iowa Party structure and the Phase II timetable.

For more information contact Jonathan Narcisse at 515-770-1218 or Narcisse For Governor Communications Director Aaron Schoeneman at 708-774-8590.

NOTE: Narcisse was interviewed by Ron Steele at KWWL for the Ron Steele Report and the playback of that broadcast is available at www.NarcisseForGovernor.com/steele
23 Sep 2014

Everytown Endorsements

By John Feinblatt

We just announced our Everytown endorsements, and I wanted to make sure you saw the news.

Click here to see our list of Gun Sense Champions -- and share the exciting news with your friends and family.

As election season begins, we're making sure to stand by the candidates who'll stand up for common-sense gun laws.

These candidates will fight for what the majority of Americans believe in: passing laws that will help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

Check out who Everytown is endorsing this year, and remember to vote with Gun Sense this November!

In case you missed it, today is National Voter Registration Day. Use our online voter registration tool to make extra sure you're registered, fill out a form, or ask your friends and family to register.

23 Sep 2014

HRC Endorsements in Iowa!

By Human Rights Campaign PAC

With less than two months remaining before Election Day, the Human Rights Campaign is announcing our endorsement of a slate of federal candidates in Iowa. These individuals have a strong record of support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and we're pleased to endorse them in this cycle.

For United States Senate:
Bruce Braley

For United States Congress:
Pat Murphy, D-IA-1
Congressman David Loebsack D-IA-2
Staci Appel, D-IA-3
Jim Mowrer, D-IA-4

A mid-term election year always presents unique challenges at the ballot box. HRC will be on the ground in Iowa working to make sure that voters who support our issues get to the polls on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 for our endorsed candidates. We hope you'll check out these candidates and their campaigns and get involved over the next six weeks. One of HRC's strength is the power of our membership. Your time can make a huge difference in the outcome of these races.

Every vote counts. Let's get it done.

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