Good read from the Huffington Post today about the U.S. Senate race in Iowa:
Drawing enthusiastic crowds around the state, Democratic challenger Rob Hogg‘s US Senate campaign to “uplift democracy” and “make Congress work again” is inspiring comparisons to the upset Senate victory of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone from neighboring Minnesota.
As Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley continues to slip in the polls, with his refusal as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing for a Supreme Court nominee and his recent statement that Republican presidential candidateDonald Trump would nominate the “right type of people,” state senator Hogg has galvanized a cross-section of support with his issues-focused campaign.
“Rob Hogg is Iowa’s best hope for replacing Chuck Grassley,” said Catherine Crooks, the Franklin County Democratic Chair in Latimer, Iowa. “This is a very important election at a very crucial time in our country. He has shown that he is prepared to do the job, and has the vision to make Congress work again for the people of America. Like Paul Wellstone, Rob has the ability to connect his political voice to the people he is serving. He has brought excitement to this campaign by being positive and listening to the concerns of Iowans about our future. Rob will be the voice we need in Congress.”
Eschewing out-of-state fundraising trips, Hogg has barnstormed with a popular clean energy and clean water campaign across a state that now leads the nation inwind energy production, and with the goal of changing the gridlock in Washington with a new era of leadership. Along with the “rock solid“ endorsement of 90 current or former legislative colleagues in the state house, Hogg earned the support this month of the Iowa Federation of Labor and AFSCME Iowa Council 61, and has inspired the involvement of new voters and young people.
“I have been talking to people door-to-door and they are excited about Rob Hogg,” said Katie Rock, of Des Moines, who was raised on a sixth generation family farm near Muscatine. “ For those that have seen his enthusiasm in person they know he’s their guy. They are hungry for a strong progressive leader that’s ready to get to work. He reminds them of Paul Wellstone in that way.”
With his five successful state senate campaigns, twice replacing Republicans in Cedar Rapids, supporters have praised Hogg’s grassroots campaign over the candidacy of former Iowa Lt. Gov. and Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, pointing out her most recent electoral loss in 2010 and out-of-step positions on labor and environmental issues for most Democrats. In the tradition of Wellstone’s 1990 campaign strategy, when he defeated incumbent Sen. Rudy Boschwitz in Minnesota, despite being outspent 7 to 1, Hogg volunteers recently produced a campaign video on Hogg’s role in “uplifting our democracy” and inspiring a new generation of leadership. A nationally recognized leader on climate changeinitiatives, Hogg has brought together rural, suburban and urban communities for legislation to assist the rapid growth of Iowa’s solar energy industry and clean energy jobs.
The primary is June 7th. Anything could happen between now and then. Click here if you want to donate and get involved with Hogg’s campaign.