Iowa Democrats Statement on Bob Vander Plaats Endorsement
IDP Chair Rita Hart issued the following statement on Bob Vander Plaats’ endorsement of Ron DeSantis.
“We may have just witnessed Ron DeSantis accept the kiss of political death this election cycle. Bob Vander Plaats’ endorsement pulls DeSantis even further outside of the mainstream and DeSantis has once again pandered to the most extreme fringes of the MAGA base with that endorsement. From championing extreme abortion bans to defending appalling claims that some African Americans benefited from slavery, DeSantis and Vander Plaats are as out of touch as it gets with everyday Iowans. Fortunately for all of us, not a single endorsee of Vander Plaats has gotten anywhere close to the White House – and that streak will continue once again when Iowans reject DeSantis in 2024.”
Here’s what you should know about Bob Vander Plaats:
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Vander Plaats pushed candidates to sign onto a pledge that suggested being born into slavery was more of a pro-family climate for Black children than modern day.
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Vander Plaats supports a total abortion ban that prevents women from ever being able to access care. His support for abortion bans also extends to restricting access to abortion medication.
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Vander Plaats also pushed for the impeachment of three Iowa Supreme Court justices for siding with our state constitution and blocking an extreme abortion ban from going into effect.
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Vander Plaats fully endorsed the racist birther narrative that President Obama wasn’t born in the United States.
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Vander Plaats urged the next president in 2016 to ignore the Obergefell ruling and restrict marriage equality.
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Vander Plaats also praised Putin for suppressing speech supportive of LGBTQ+ rights during the Olympics.
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