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Friday, July 24, 2020
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Iowa Dems Dispatch: Highlights from the Hawkeye State
Momentum continues to grow for Iowa Democrats as this weekend marks 100 days out from the election
DES MOINES — This weekend marks 100 days out from the election in November, and Iowa Democrats had an exciting week. Momentum to flip Iowa blue continued to grows as two huge race rating changes have shifted the odds in Democrats’ favor, a GOP candidate was caught in a plagiarism scandal, Democrats fought for increased access to coronavirus testing, and more.
Take a look at some of the highlights from Iowa Democrats this week:
“Tipping Point of Control in the Senate” — The Iowa Senate Race is Officially a Toss-Up:
Cook Political Report: Almost 100 Days Out, Democrats Are Favored to Take Back the Senate
With almost 100 days until the election, the momentum is on Theresa Greenfield’s side: the Cook Political Report moved Iowa’s Senate race from Lean Republican to a Toss Up, with Iowa as the “tipping point of control in the Senate.”
The report cited this race as one of the most competitive in the country thanks to Theresa’s “compelling story” and that “Ernst has had some missteps in the race and isn’t performing as well as Republicans had hoped.” Republicans are worried about how “Ernst is underwater” after flailing polling numbers and her refusal to fight for Iowans during a global pandemic. Meanwhile, Theresa continues to put forward proposals that put working families first.
Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is Trending Blue As Hart Advocates for Educators:
The Iowa Senate race isn’t the only new rating favoring Democrats — a new Crystal Ball rating showed that Rita Hart is now the favorite in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. The rating moved from Toss-Up to Leans Democratic as voters see that Hart is going to fight for Iowans in Congress.
The Gazette: Rita Hart: Cooperation needed to safely reopen schools
Hart, a former public school teacher, also spent time this week hearing from educators, teachers, and school board members caught in the crossfire of Governor Reynolds’ rushed reopening decision to hear their concerns for the fall.
“If we don’t listen to the people that are affected most by the problem, we are not going to effectively come up with a solution to it,” Hart said.
Finkenauer Fights for Testing While GOP Plagiarism Scandal Rocks Iowa’s 1st Congressional District:
Des Moines Register: GOP congressional candidate Ashley Hinson apologizes for plagiarism, cuts ties with consulting firm
Ashley Hinson made it clearer than ever that she’s running to be a rubber stamp for the Republican establishment when it was revealed this week that her campaign, led by a Washington-based GOP consulting firm, plagiarized over a dozen times — including stealing material from Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer’s website.
Hinson originally attempted to blame staff for her repeated and blatant plagiarism, despite tweeting from her own account posted in April claiming to have written the campaign materials herself.
KCRG: Finkenauer sends letter to Reynolds over Dubuque County testing reductions
While Hinson spent the week defending her plagiarism habit, Finkenauer fought for increased coronavirus testing in Dubuque following a spike of cases and the governor’s order to abruptly limit testing.
Axne Champions Skills Training and Job Placement Programs
This week in Washington, Congresswoman Cindy Axne introduced a powerful amendment to this year’s defense policy act to extend enhanced skills training and job placement programs to Iowa National Guard and reserve members. This legislation would create invaluable employment opportunities for Iowan service members.