Moline, IL - State Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova) announced his re-election campaign for the 71st Illinois House District on Thursday, August 18th:

"My wife of 32 years, Betsey, and I entered the political realm in 2007 because we understood the importance of bringing balance to our local political environment. We took that very balance to Springfield and helped create the environment that produced a better Illinois budget process. We have seen successes both locally and in the General Assembly, but the job is far from over."

"As a member of the House Higher Education Appropriations Committee, I participated directly in the process of creating a balanced budget with a responsible, open, and transparent course of action that Illinois has not witnessed in decades."

"I have worked hard to represent my constituents - the working families and senior citizens of the 71st District. By teaming up with members of Congress, the Governor, and others, I am striving to bring jobs to the 71st. I have sponsored numerous bills and resolutions to help improve the jobs climate in Illinois."

"Our key legislation for my first session was House Bill 3500, legislation that is protecting the identities and other personal information of Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card holders. The companion legislation, House Resolution 89, launched an audit of the Illinois State Police and their administration of the FOID card program. Together, this legislative package is providing us with information we deserve and the freedoms we need."

"I am running for re-election because there is much more work to do. We must continue to fight for a fiscally responsible budget that does not spend more money than the State takes in. We must improve the jobs climate to get Illinois working again. And we must continue the effort to reform Springfield, to put a stop to political corruption and restore the people's trust in their government."

"We've only begun. Let's keep moving in the right direction."

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Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Rick Santorum, U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, U.S. Rep. Steve King, IA Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds to Join State-wide Bus Tour

Washington, D.C. ? On Wednesday, August 10, 2011 the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA), along with FRC Action's Faith Family Freedom Fund and the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), will stop in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Waterloo, Mason City and Dickinson County as part of the "Values Voter Bus Tour" that will cover 1,305 miles in four days with events in 22 cities.

President Obama is the most pro-abortion President in United States history and has threatened individual states for exercising their right to de-fund Planned Parenthood.  SBA List will get the word out to straw poll and caucus goers on which candidates have taken its Pro-Life Presidential Leadership Pledge and can be counted on as a strong leader in defending human life.

Wednesday, August 10  

8:30 - 9:00 AM: Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Marriott, 1200 Collins Road NE  

Confirmed speakers: Sen. Rick Santorum, Former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Brian Brown (NOM), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life)

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Dubuque
Washington Park, 351 W 6th Street  

Confirmed speakers: Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life), Steven N. Brody (Dubuque County Right to Life)  

12:45 PM - 1:15 PM: Waterloo

Lincoln Park, 451 E 4th Street  

Confirmed speakers: Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life)  

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Mason City
Central Park, 75 1st Street NW  

Confirmed speakers: Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life)  

6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Dickinson County
Barefoot Bar, 24457 178^th Street, Okoboji  

Confirmed speakers: Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Marilyn Musgrave (SBA), Connie Mackey (FRC), Jenifer Bowen (Iowa Right to Life)  

The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of more than 330,000 Americans dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics.  Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.

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- Activities Include Saturday Straw Poll Interactive Listening Posts to Engage Voter Opinions and Sole Sponsorship of GOP Presidential Debate Surrogate Spin Rooms -

DES MOINES – AARP will launch its nationwide presidential voter education engagement efforts next week in Ames, Iowa, listening to the concerns and priorities of 2011 Iowa Straw Poll participants. Visitors to AARP's First in the Nation: Your Right, Your Decision, Your VoteSpeak Out Tent will have the opportunity to share their views on pocketbook and retirement issues through interactive and instant audience response technology.  It's all part of AARP's national efforts to make sure presidential candidates and other elected officials hear the voices of voters 50+ throughout the 2012 election campaign.

"For the first time, voters at the 2011 Iowa Straw Poll in Ames not only have the first chance to determine which candidates rise to the top in the early days of the 2012 campaign cycle, but they also will have the opportunity to discuss what they think the next president should do to address pocketbook and retirement security issues at our cutting-edge, interactive Listening Posts and Speak Out Stage," said Tony Vola, AARP Iowa State President. Vola said AARP will be conducting voter engagement efforts in Iowa as well as other primary and caucus states at both Republican and Democratic events throughout the 2012 election cycle.

AARP's First in the Nation Speak Out Tent, co-hosted by Mediacom, is centrally located adjacent to Scheman Hall and Hilton Coliseum. The day's program features a series of events including:

• Your Pocketbook and Your Retirement Listening Posts utilizing interactive and instant audience response technology with Republican pollster Leslie Sanchez, who's appeared on Fox News, CNN and Oprah Radio, on the AARP Speak Out Stage;
• Leadership recognitions on the AARP Speak Out Stage for Iowa's Republican elected officials, including Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham; 
• An AARP/Mediacom Speak Out Corner for participants to weigh in on what should be the top priority for America's presidential candidates;
• Individual photographs with American historical figures and past Republican Presidents in front of backdrops featuring the beautiful Iowa State Capitol; and,
• Refreshing snacks, beverages, WiFi café and relaxation lounge areas.

In addition to the First in the Nation Speak Out Tent activities during the Straw Poll on Saturday, Aug. 13, AARP also is the Republican Party of Iowa's (RPI) sole sponsor of the post-debate Campaign Surrogate/Media Spin Rooms for RPI's Presidential Candidate Debate Series currently scheduled for Aug. 11 in Ames, Dec. 10 in Des Moines and Feb. 1 in Sioux City.

AARP's participation in the Iowa Straw Poll is part of the Association's 25+-year tradition of focusing candidate attention on the issues of concern to older Americans and their families, and helping voters know where the candidates stand on those issues. AARP is nonprofit and nonpartisan. The Association does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.  For more information on AARP visit www.aarp.org

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released thefollowing statement after reports came out that Governor Branstad and his staff have continuously pressured Iowa's Workers' Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey to resign his independent office:

"Historically this has been a non-partisan agency whose focus has been putting Iowans back to work. Chris Godfrey is highly qualified. He was first appointed in 2006 and re-appointed in 2009 to fulfill a six-year term after being confirmed 49-0 by the Iowa Senate. He serves in a capacity that is independent of the Governor and the political climate. The Governor has injected politics into this, leaving workers and employers hanging in the balance. It's highly unusual for the Governor to pressure a Commissioner of this type into resignation. It's one thing to surround yourself with staff of your choosing, it's another to conduct a clearly political witch hunt against a qualified and competent employee."

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