Archive of ‘Press Release’ posts

New Web Ad Highlights Brad Zaun’s “Experience”

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

DES MOINES - The Iowa Democratic Party today released a Web ad showing Brad Zaun’s real “experience” in political office. In April 2001, while he was the mayor of Urbandale, Zaun was told by police to stay away from his ex-girlfriend; after showing up at her house, pounding on the door, and calling her names.

“Brad Zaun’s record speaks for itself. This type of behavior isn’t acceptable from any elected official or candidate for public office,” said Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Norm Sterzenbach. “We’re releasing this Web ad because voters in the 3rd Congressional District deserve to know Brad Zaun’s past and the character of the man who wants to represent them.”

According to a 2001 West Des Moines Police report, Brad Zaun’s ex-girlfriend accused him of harassing behavior and police were called to her house. The report shows Zaun pounded on her windows and doors, while yelling insulting names. This wasn’t the first time either, the report also stated Zaun had “come to her home uninvited several times within the past year” and that he “sounded intoxicated” when police arrived.

“Brad Zaun lacks the judgement and leadership experience to represent Iowans,” added Sterzenbach.

Source: The Des Moines Register, “Congressional candidate Brad Zaun told in ’01 to stay away from former girlfriend,” 8/19/10

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Steve King on Debate: “No”

Monday, August 30th, 2010

DES MOINES – Republican Congressman Steve King today said he would not debate Democratic challenger Matt Campbell. King, who previously claimed Campbell, “hasn’t earned” the right to debate, justified his refusal by saying, “he’s not worthy.”

“The people of the 5th District deserve an open debate between Steve King and Matt Campbell. They have earned the right to hear from both candidates in a fair and public setting and Steve King is proudly standing in the way of that,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Surely a four-term Congressman like Steve King is capable of debating the issues, the only question is why he feels his constituents don’t deserve the chance to make an informed decision in this election.”

While King has repeatedly dodged debate requests, when asked again by Matt Campbell today at a town hall in Sioux City he said “no” and went on to argue that debate is not necessary to the political process, saying “I don’t know where that rule is written.” Since taking office in 2003 King has avoided a single, formal debate with his opponents.

“It’s disappointing that Steve King, who never misses an opportunity to comment on an issue, is hiding from a real debate with his opponent. The people of the 5th District deserve better, Matt Campbell will be a strong voice for hard working families across the district” added Dvorsky

Matt Campbell won the Democratic nomination after a competitive primary earlier this year and has earned the endorsement of prominent figures including U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

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When You Can’t Win on the Issues, Stick to Fearmongering

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

GOP Front Group Launches False Attack on Congressman Braley

DES MOINES - Days after promising to spend hundreds of thousands attacking Congressman Bruce Braley, the American Future Fund (AFF) has launched an outrageous and innacurate attack ad in the state featuring false statements and images of September 11th.

The ad falsely accuses Braley of supporting a mosque in the area near Ground Zero after showing images of the devastation at the site as well as the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor. Lacking any basis in reality, the AFF cites the overtly partisan Iowa Republican as their source for the claim. On August 23rd the Iowa Republican ran an article in which Braley stated. “this is a decision that the people of New York are going to have to deal with.”

“It’s shocking and sad that images from the most tragic days in American history are being used to scare and mislead Iowa voters,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorsky. “There is no place in Iowa politics for this kind fearmongering. Voters in the 1st Congressional District know Congressman Braley has stood up for them and the important issues facing the state, that’s why he will be reelected in November.”

The American Future Fund is a registered 501(c)(4) organization which means they are not required to disclose a list of donors, who in 2008 were responsible for total revenue of $7.5 million. The Des Moines based group has previously run attack ads in the state, most recently in 2008.

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Where’s the Outrage?

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

RPI Silent as Special Interest Group Spends Hundreds of Thousands Without Revealing Donors

DES MOINES – No stranger to hypocrisy, the Republican Party of Iowa has remained silent in the face of reports detailing the American Future Fund’s six figure spending spree against Congressman Bruce Braley, which is backed by anonymous donors.

“Their outrage seems to disappear when they’re trying to protect their own donors,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Spending six figures on a smear campaign without disclosing where a single penny came from is something that any Iowan should find outrageous.”

The American Future Fund (AFF) is a Republican special interest group led by Republican political operative Nick Ryan who was also the campaign manager for Jim Nussle’s failed gubernatorial bid in 2006. As a tax-exempt 501(c)(4) organization, the AFF is not required to disclose a list of donors, who in 2008 were responsible for total revenue of $7.5 million.

“The Republican Party of Iowa only supports transparency when it’s convenient for them and their donors. I think most Iowans can see through this hypocrisy.” added Dvorsky.

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DNC Votes to Keep Iowa’s First in the Nation Caucus Date

Friday, August 20th, 2010

DES MOINES - Meeting in St. Louis the Democratic National Committee (DNC) today finalized February 6th, 2012 as the date for the 2012 Iowa Democratic caucus, keeping Iowa First in the Nation.

“Iowans have always taken their role as First in the Nation seriously and it’s a privilege to hold that position once again,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorsky. “Since President Obama’s historic win in 2008 we have continued to organize and lay the groundwork for his successful reelection campaign that will begin with the 2012 Iowa caucus.”

DNC members also voted to hold the New Hampshire primary on February 14th, Nevada caucus on February 18th, and the South Carolina primary on February 28th, 2012. “I would like to thank Attorney General Tom Miller for his role on the DNC’s Change Commission and 1st Vice Chair Michael Kiernan for his work on the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee. Their work resulted in a smooth vote on the 2012 caucus and primary dates, securing Iowa’s place as First in the Nation,” added Dvorsky.

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