Governor Reynolds won’t be able to escape her “ethically challenged” administration as she jets off on her last tour ahead of election day. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price will be holding a press conference at 8:30 AM tomorrow ahead of Reynolds’ tour launch to highlight the many ethical scandals and failed leadership tests of the Reynolds Administration.

Instead of borrowing another corporate jet, Reynolds is taking the train on her last tour of the state. Ironically, that’s the same tour format that former Governor Branstad trashed when she was running with him in 2010. Branstad said of train tours: “They did the train thing back in the 19th century. This is the 21st century, and we’re focusing on jobs for the future.”

That being said, Reynolds isn’t just taking the state backwards, her ethical failures are running it into a ditch.

Since taking office, Governor Reynolds has been plagued by mismanagement and scandals. In 2017, the AP reported Reynolds toured the state following her inauguration in a private jet owned by casino magnate Gary Kirke who was lobbying for state approval for a project at the time.

Soon after in September 2017, Governor Reynolds attempted to cover up her budget crisis with an illegal funds transfer that even she and her Republican allies admitted was “not in compliance with the law.” Reynolds was sued for this move.

In March of this year, Reynolds fired her longtime ally Dave Jamison for blatant sexual harassment and intimidation. A letter from an IFA employee would later reveal that Reynolds’ mixed messaging on sexual harassment and the training she mandated to cover for Republican wrongdoing in the State Senate did absolutely nothing to prevent sexual harassment in her state government.

In June, Reynolds failed to meet a constitutionally mandated deadline for appointing 6th District Court Judge Jason Besler. Her excuse? She was “too busy” to follow the law.

Then a bombshell report from the Associated Press revealed that Governor Reynolds accepted a private flight supposedly provided by Sedgwick’s CEO Dave North. Sedgwick administers workers’ compensation claims filed by injured Iowa executive branch employees and benefitted from the law change backed by Reynolds in 2017 reducing benefits for injured workers.

Finally, Governor Reynolds is dodging all responsibility for the incredibly damaging decision she made to elevate Congressman Steve King and his divisive ideology to a position of honor on her campaign. Despite widespread condemnation, even from fellow Republicans, Reynolds remains politically and personally tied to King.

PRESS CONFERENCE
WHO: Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN: 8:30 AM
WHERE: Intersection of 5th and Vine Streets (Approximate Address: 100 SW 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309), Downtown Des Moines

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