Time for a new thread on other Democrats who may join former State Senator Staci Appel and Gabriel De La Cerda as candidates for Congress in Iowa’s third district. Right now my best guess is that State Senator Matt McCoy will throw his hat in. He was planning to run for Congress in IA-03 way back in 2001, but he stood aside when Representative Leonard Boswell decided to move to Des Moines. McCoy has said previously (and confirmed again this week) that he would consider running for an open Congressional seat. He could raise substantial money as the chair of the Iowa Senate Commerce Committee and is well-known in the LGBT community as our state’s first out gay legislator. One complicating factor for McCoy: he is up for re-election next year in Iowa Senate district 21, covering parts of Des Moines and West Des Moines. He would have to give up his Senate seat in order to take a chance on IA-03.

Several other prominent Democrats contacted by the Des Moines Register indicated directly or through associates that they are thinking about this race, but I just don’t see former Governor Chet Culver, Polk County Democratic Party Chair Tom Henderson, former Des Moines City Council member Michael Kiernan or Dr. Andy McGuire following through.  

Any new Democrat who enters this primary will be playing catch-up. As of September 30, Appel’s campaign had nearly $200,000 cash on hand. Perhaps more important, her campaign sent out a press release on December 18 highlighting more than a dozen groups that are standing by their endorsements of her candidacy. I’ve posted that release after the jump. The loyal Appel endorsers include several labor unions, Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa, EMILY’s List, and the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign.

Democrats who have ruled out a candidacy in IA-03 include Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, State Senator Janet Petersen, and Boswell’s 2008 Democratic primary challenger Ed Fallon. The Des Moines Register’s Jennifer Jacobs mentioned Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and both Tom and Christie Vilsack as possible candidates, but I would be shocked if any of them ran for Congress next year.  

Appel for Iowa press release, December 18:

Standing with Staci

Endorsements standing with Appel, focused on winning seat in November

DES MOINES – 3rd Congressional district candidate Staci Appel (D-Ackworth) confirmed the support of over a dozen national and local organizations supporting her campaign.

“For five months, this campaign has been about getting Washington to work for Iowa’s middle class families, by bringing people together and using common sense solutions to solve problems,” said Appel. “I have been so honored to have earned the support from national organizations in the fight for equality and women’s access to health care, to local unions defending the rights of working families across Iowa.  I am thrilled to have them with me and ready to work to win this seat in November.”

Below are selected quotes from organizations endorsing Appel for Iowa:

“The working men and women of AFSCME Iowa Council 61 were proud to stand with Staci Appel from the moment she started this race and we remain committed to sending Staci to Congress in November,” said Danny Homan, President of AFSCME Iowa Council 61.

“We need a voice for middle class families in Washington,” said Francis Giunta, President of Communications Workers of America, Iowa State Council.  “We want someone who knows how to get things done and we believe Staci Appel is the right woman for the job.”

“Washington needs sharp, politically savvy leaders like Staci Appel-she is the right person to finally break Iowa’s glass ceiling” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List.

“It is great to see a political candidate who is not afraid to take on the serious issues impacting the lives of working class families,” said Charlie Shempf, Business Manager for the Great Plains Laborers’ District Council. “Staci has been a strong advocate for the safety and lives of Iowans and that is why the Laborers’ endorse her to be the next Congresswoman for the 3rd Congressional district.”

           “Staci Appel is a proven leader who will be an amazing advocate for equality in Congress,” said Tom O’Donnell HRC Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “She will stand up for all Americans and ensure that all of her constituents are accepted and welcomed as part of the American family.”

           “We proudly stand with Planned Parenthood Action Fund in support of Staci Appel, who has been unwavering in her support for women’s health in Iowa,” said Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa President/CEO Jill June. “As an Iowa state senator, Appel was a critical voice against bills designed to restrict access to women’s health care and defund Planned Parenthood. The women and men of Iowa’s third congressional district can trust Staci Appel – soon to be Iowa’s first congresswoman.”

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BACKGROUND: Appel for Iowa has been endorsed by Teamsters Local 90, Mailhandlers Local 333, AFSCME Iowa Council 61, Communications Workers of America, Iowa State Council, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Women’s Campaign Fund, EMILY’s List, UFCW, IBEW, Iowa State Conference, Laborers Great Plains District Council, Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades and the Human Rights Campaign. Appel as also been named to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) Jumpstart list.

About Staci: Born and raised in Iowa, married for 17 years, mother to six kids and a former financial consultant, Staci Appel calls rural Ackworth, Iowa home. Staci took her deep Iowa roots, and her equally deep commitment to Iowa families to the State Senate in 2006 where she fought for Iowa’s backbone – middle-class families, farmers and small-business owners. During Staci’s time in the Iowa Senate, legislators took notice of her steadfast commitment to the people she served. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal said, “I have never seen a freshman legislator come down to the capital and work as hard as Staci Appel.” That work included leadership on legislation like Iowa’s statewide smoking ban, pre-school for every 4 year old and championing the bill making Iowa the first state in the nation to require equal pay for equal work.