05 May 2014

Branstad Has 15 Point Lead on Hatch in Early Polling

By Steve Grubbs
Davenport - In a poll taken April 30th and May 1st, of 400 registered voters, Governor Terry Branstad has a fifteen point lead over his Democrat challenger, State Senator, Jack Hatch.

In the survey of voters, 48% indicated they would either definitely or probably vote for Branstad, while 33% said the same of Hatch.

"The Governor's lead is about where it should be at this point for an incumbent governor in a state without some of the political upheaval we are seeing elsewhere," said Steve Grubbs, CEO of Victory Enterprises.

The survey is balanced by party affiliation, gender, age and geography.  "We used the party turnout numbers from 2010 as the basis to set our targets for this survey. In that year, 40% of voter turnout was Republican and 35% Democrat.  In this off-year election, 2010 is the best predictor of voter participation this year."

In order for Senator Hatch to win, he will need to change the nature of the race substantially between now and November. As it stands, he would need  to win the undecided voters 9:1 in order to overcome Branstad's lead.

In other results, the Governor's job performance sits at 54% approving and 32% disapproving.

"The bottom line is the governor is sitting in a strong position as he enters the summer.  Incumbents prefer to be over 50% in their re-elect ballot test to feel comfortable, so its clear the governor cannot take this election for granted," said Grubbs.

Click to view the Iowa Statewide Survey top lines.

The survey has a margin of error of 4.9% and 400 registered voters participated.

This survey is the proprietary property of Victory Enterprises, Inc.

01 May 2014

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Jacobs Announces Scott County Leadership Team

By Alissa Ohl

WEST DES MOINES - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Jacobs today announced four county leadership teams - including his Scott County Leadership Team.

In addition to the Iowans below, who are voicing their public support of Mark's focus on creating jobs and opportunity for all, Mark also recently announced the support of 570 women and 70 college students from across Iowa.

"Seeking the Republican nomination for Iowa's U.S. Senator continues to be an extraordinary journey, and one I simply could not do without support from Iowans across the state. My wife Janet and I are beyond grateful for their support as we work towards winning on June 3rd and November 4th," said Mark Jacobs.

Scott County residents who want to elect a proven business leader with real world experience of complex fiscal problems and a Senator who is committed to creating jobs and reining in Washington's spending problem include :

  • Bob Lilienthal
  • Brian Dumas
  • Christopher Glass
  • Dale Lilienthal
  • Donna Stickling
  • Harold Jackson
  • James Meyers
  • Jason Gordon
  • Jean Oxley
  • Jennifer Dumas
  • Jim Moffit
  • Joanne Mercer
  • Kelli Grubbs
  • Kim Wulf
  • Leo Rathjen
  • Steve Grubbs
  • Taci Lilienthal

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29 Apr 2014

Quad City Federation of Labor Announces Endorsements for June 3rd Primary Election in Scott and Muscatine Counties

By Tom Moritz

Davenport, Iowa, April 25, 2013 - The delegates of the Quad City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, voted at their April 21, 2014, Labor Council meeting to endorse the following candidates for the upcoming Primary Election on June 3rd:

Scott County:

Democrat Primary - Supervisor James Laird and Brinson Kinzer

Republican Primary - Supervisor William P Cusack

Muscatine County:

Democrat Primary - Supervisor Rob Krysh

Recorder Nancy Long

Treasurer Kas Kelly

The Labor Council believes that these candidates are the best choice for Scott and Muscatine County Working Families. The Labor Council has not made primary endorsements in Louisa County which is also part of the labor council jurisdiction, but will consider making them before the General Election.

We at the Quad City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, realize that voting is a deeply personal matter, and it is the first responsibility of a citizen in a democracy. Therefore we take candidate endorsements seriously and have a vetting process that includes a questionnaire and interview with delegates to the Quad City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO in order to be considered for endorsement for the June 3rd Primary Election.

We hope that you will vote pro-worker by voting in the Primary Election, Tuesday, June 3, or by voting early. Voters may vote from home by requesting an absentee ballot from the County Auditor's Office.

Early voting in person at the Auditor's office is also available starting Thursday, April 24, 2014, through Monday, June 2nd.

29 Apr 2014

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Mark Jacobs to Meet with Area Residents in Bettendorf, Clinton

By Alissa Ohl

West Des Moines, Iowa - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Jacobs will return to eastern Iowa on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - making stops in both Bettendorf and Clinton.

Jacobs will be at the Pizza Ranch in Bettendorf and the Riverside Restaurant & Banquet in Clinton to meet with and answer questions from area residents.

The following events are open to members of the press:

 

Event: Bettendorf Meet & Greet

Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Time: 1:00-2:00pm

Location: Pizza Ranch, 880 Lincoln Road, Bettendorf

***

Event: Clinton Meet & Greet

Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

Time: 5:00-6:00pm

Location: Riverside Restaurant & Banquet, 517 North 2nd Street, Clinton

 

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Paid for by Jacobs for Iowa

25 Apr 2014

Braley's First TV Ad Highlights Working Background

By Jeff Giertz
60-second spot features Braley and his mother Marcia
DES MOINES, IA - Braley for Iowa is launching its first television ad of the 2014 campaign for US Senate today. 

The minute-long spot highlights Rep. Bruce Braley's working background, and features Braley speaking about his upbringing and work experience with his mother Marcia. Braley, who grew up in Brooklyn, Iowa, worked jobs in road construction and at a grain elevator. Braley also worked to help put himself through college at Iowa State and law school at the University of Iowa.

Braley said, "I think you can tell a lot about someone by where they come from. I grew up in Brooklyn, Iowa, and worked to put myself through college at Iowa State, working jobs in road construction, at a grain elevator, and waiting tables. I grew up in a working family, and that's why fighting to strengthen and expand the middle class is the centerpiece of my campaign for US Senate."

The ad can be viewed at the following link: http://youtu.be/eE12svo8iug
25 Apr 2014

Governor Quinn Statement on New Proposal to Enact Term Limits for Constitutional Officers

By Katie Hickey

MARION - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on a new proposal - sponsored by Leader Durkin and Leader Radogno - to enact term limits for constitutional officers in Illinois:

"I support this proposed constitutional amendment and have supported term limits since 1994.

"Constitutional amendments have long allowed the power of the people to translate into positive reform for Illinois government. I led the charge to establish term limits for legislators through constitutional amendment in 1994; I successfully established recall for the office of Governor through constitutional amendment in 2010; and I spearheaded the successful effort to reduce the size of the House by constitutional amendment in 1980.

"I hope voters have the chance to consider this constitutional amendment on the ballot."

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24 Apr 2014

Will GOP Candidates Skip Forum Hosted by Erick Erickson?

By Jeff Giertz

Erickson's inflammatory rhetoric, extreme ideas on working women, marriage equality don't reflect Iowa values

DES MOINES, IA - Braley for Iowa today called on the Republican candidates for US Senate to skip Friday's planned Republican primary forum hosted by the Family Leader in Ankeny because the moderator chosen to lead the forum doesn't reflect Iowa values.

As Media Matters explains, Erick Erickson, the bombastic media figure and founder of the website RedState.com, has a long history of inflammatory rhetoric and extreme ideas with regards to women in the workforce, businesses that serve same-sex couples, and marriage equality. 

Braley for Iowa Campaign Manager Sarah Benzing said, "There's no moderation in the selection of Erick Erickson as moderator, just more right-wing obstructionist rhetoric and ideas that send Iowa backwards. Erickson believes that the increasing numbers of female breadwinners is 'concerning and troubling' and believes that businesses that serve same-sex couples are 'aiding and abetting' in sin. Those just aren't Iowa values. Do Iowa GOP Senate candidates agree with his views, or will they skip tomorrow night's forum?"

# # #
24 Apr 2014

House Calls on GOP to Pull Controversial Speaker - `President Lincoln would be appalled'

By Randy Stalsberg

Rock Island County Democratic Party Chair Doug House today expressed deep disappointment with his counterpart's decision to allow a controversial speaker to headline their party's Lincoln Day Dinner.

"Abraham Lincoln, who stood for unity, would be appalled at the divisive and hateful words expressed by the Rev. Don Johnson," said House.

House issued the following statement this morning:

"On behalf of the Rock Island County Democratic Party, and more importantly on behalf of citizens throughout Rock Island County, I am appalled that the Rock Island County Republican Party would headline a speaker with such extremist and dangerous views.

"The Rev. Johnson's views are so out of touch with the views of mainstream Americans and our county's residents that the Republican Party's own candidate for Governor will not appear with him.

"Today I call on Bobby Schilling, and the Rock Island County Republican Party led by Bill Bloom, to denounce those extremist views. I also think they should do what's right by one of our nation's greatest Presidents - Abraham Lincoln - and cancel the Rev. Johnson's speech.

"Abraham Lincoln, who preached unity, would be appalled at the divisive and hateful words expressed by the Rev. Don Johnson.

 

"The Rock Island County Democratic Party, which is reflective of the county in which we live, will continue to be inclusive. We Democrats embrace our community's diversity and recognize it as a strength that has built the place we proudly call the Quad Cities."

23 Apr 2014

Summer Internship Opportunity

By Casey Petrashek
We're building the Bruce Braley grassroots organization we're going to need to win in November.
Unlike the other side, we're relying on Iowans like you talking to yours neighbors, making phone calls, and knocking on doors -- not special interests or big money.
17 Apr 2014

First in the nation Iowa becomes 2014 battleground over Common Core: Governor Terry Branstad's honesty called into question by challenger Tom Hoefling

By Rick Martin

April 16, 2014

Des Moines - Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary challenger Tom Hoefling today charged that incumbent Governor Terry Branstad and his campaign are deceiving Iowa Republicans about Branstad's ongoing support for the Common Core national standards.

Tom Hoefling said today, "I don't know why they think they can get away with this, frankly. It is obvious to any honest observer that Terry Branstad continues to support Common Core, and that he has done nothing of any real substance in this legislative session to stop it. It is also clear that the Branstad executive order from last October that they constantly cite did nothing to stop the implementation of Common Core. That was, to put it simply, a political smokescreen, and everybody who has looked into this question closely knows it."

Hoefling added, "Support for the Common Core standards, which amount to the final blow against any remaining vestige of local control of our schools, is bad enough. But when the Governor and his campaign staffers go out on the campaign trail and try to deceive the people of this state, that takes things to a whole new level. It is now more than just a disagreement over public policy. It is a question of honesty and integrity."

The Hoefling campaign pointed to a report from the statewide group "Iowans for Local Control," which can be found here:

http://iowansforlocalcontrol.com/2014/01/no-governor-branstad-did-not-reject-the-common-core/

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