During the past ten days, two people who are well-known to Iowa Democrats have endorsed Anesa Kajtazovic for Congress: Tim Dwight and Zach Wahls. A former Iowa Hawkeyes star and successful professional football player, Dwight now runs the solar energy company iPowerCorp and is president of the Iowa Solar/Small Wind Energy Trade Association. In recent years he has lobbied state legislators to help make Iowa a leader in “distributed generation, which is solar, small wind and also solar thermal.” Distributed generation holds many economic benefits beyond what Iowa gains through large wind farms.

Since her first election to the Iowa House in 2010, Kajtazovic has recognized the huge potential for solar energy in Iowa. She has supported several bills to promote solar power, including new state tax credits enacted in 2012. That law reduced the payback time for small solar power systems installed in Iowa homes and businesses. Dwight described her as “a true champion for solar.” After the jump I’ve posted the press releases announcing support from Dwight and Wahls and a video of Kajtazovic discussing her work on solar power.

Wahls gained national fame as an advocate for marriage equality when a video of his comments to an Iowa House hearing went viral in 2011. He was a speaker at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. John Deeth was to my knowledge the first to report that Wahls was supporting Kajtazovic for Congress. On Monday, her campaign confirmed that endorsement.

Underscoring the candidate’s appeal to a younger generation, Dwight spoke of Kajtazovic’s “fresh ideas,” while Wahls said “it’s time for fresh, new voices” in Washington. Kajtazovic is the only candidate under age 50 in the five-way Democratic primary to represent IA-01. In the press release announcing Wahls’ support, she condemned former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum’s views on equality for LGBT couples. Santorum recently endorsed State Representative Walt Rogers, a Republican candidate in IA-01. Whatever other issues may divide Democratic voters in this district, you can bet that all of them dislike Santorum’s politics.

Any relevant comments are welcome in this thread.

Kajtazovic for Congress press release, October 14:

Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic Gets Endorsement of Tim Dwight

Former Hawkeye football player and Iowa Solar/Small Wind Energy Trade Association (ISETA) President, Tim Dwight, has endorsed Representative Anesa Kajtazovic in her run for Congress. “I support Anesa Kajtazovic because she emulates the correct attitudes and beliefs of Renewable Energy (RE), particularly her work in the solar sector of RE. Anesa has been a true champion for solar, helping pass SF2342, Iowa’s first legislative solar incentives by the state. This bill has accelerated the advance of the deployment of solar in our state thus protecting our environment, creating jobs, creating savings for Iowans and securing an energy resource that is true game-changer,” Dwight said.

“I am particularly gracious and proud to have Tim Dwight’s endorsement in this race because of Tim’s leadership in the renewable energy sector. In the Iowa House I worked closely with Tim to ensure Iowa was moving forward in terms of creating and investing in green energy and jobs,” Kajtazovic stated, “In Iowa we have seen first-hand the devastating effects of droughts and floods and people I’ve spoken to across the district do want someone in Washington who is going to advocate for protecting our environment by investing in clean and renewable energy. I am going to do that.”

Dwight echoed the sentiment already shaping up in this race that Kajtazovic represents a fresh voice and a welcomed alternative to the status quo in Washington. “Anesa has great vision as a young legislator and her fresh ideas and hard work make all the difference-making Iowa a better place to live,” Dwight said.

Kajtazovic for Congress press release, October 21:

Zach Wahls Endorses Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic for Congress

Waterloo, IA-Equality activist, Zach Wahls, has formally endorsed Representative Anesa Kajtazovic of Waterloo for U.S. Congress. Wahls is most famous for the testimony he delivered to the Iowa House Judiciary Committee in 2011 on behalf of marriage equality when House Republicans sought a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in the state. The YouTube video of Wahls’ testimony has garnered almost 18 million views.

“I’m supporting Anesa because it’s time for fresh, new voices in Washington who can help break through the gridlock and help protect Iowa’s middle class and secure civil rights for all Americans,” Wahls said. Wahls is adding his name to a list of supporters that include Senator Jeff Danielson and former Hawkeye football player Tim Dwight.

“I am thrilled to have Zach Wahls’ endorsement,” Kajtazovic stated, “I am proud of the steps our state has taken towards equality for all; that Iowa has been on the right and progressive side of this issue. Now we need to ensure that the rest of America follows suit.”

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) is weighing in on the 1st district Congressional race also with his support of Rep. Walt Rogers (R-Cedar Falls). Santorum has formerly labeled gay marriage as no different from “man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be” and has proclaimed marriage a privilege, not a right.

Kajtazovic condemned Santorum’s views, “there is no room for extremist and backwards views like Mr. Santorum’s in our district or in our state. In Congress, I will keep Iowa moving forward instead of back and stand up for equality for all.”