Democracy for America announced this morning that it has endorsed Jim Mowrer, Representative Steve King’s Democratic challenger in Iowa’s fourth Congressional district. I’ve posted the official statement after the jump. The progressive advocacy group Howard Dean created after his 2004 presidential campaign has 1 million members across the country, including 9,589 members in Iowa. Some of them may be more likely to volunteer for Mowrer knowing he has DFA’a backing.
The group’s endorsement should also help Mowrer raise more money from inside and outside Iowa–although he’s done quite well in that department already, raising more money than King the last three quarters. Recognizing the strong campaign Mowrer is building, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee already flagged IA-04 as an “emerging race” despite the uphill climb for any Democrat in this district.
Democracy for America has previously endorsed five other Democratic U.S. House candidates, including Staci Appel in Iowa’s open third district.
UPDATE: I missed this last week; Mowrer informed supporters that his three-year-old son suffers from a rare degenerative neurological disease. Healing thoughts to the whole family.
Democracy for America press release, April 23:
BREAKING: Democracy for America endorses Mowrer in IA-4
BURLINGTON, Vt. — This morning, Democracy for America announced its endorsement of Jim Mowrer in his fight to defeat Tea Party Congressman Steve King of Iowa’s 4th Congressional district.
Democracy for America, which has 9,589 members in Iowa and 1 million members nationwide, is the national progressive political organization founded by Gov. Howard Dean.
Quote from Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean on today’s endorsement of Mower, if helpful:
“Jim Mowrer is running precisely the kind of people-powered, progressive campaign necessary to end the far right’s control of Congress and defeat an entrenched, Tea Party radical like Congressman Steve King. Democracy for America members in Iowa and across the country are proud to stand along side Mowrer in his battle against King to cut wasteful Pentagon spending, raise the minimum wage, and take the country’s growing income inequality crisis head on. — Jim Dean, Chair, Democracy for America
Key facts about Democracy for America & its endorsement of Jim Mowrer (IA-4):
DFA has 9,589 members in Iowa and 1 million members nationwide
Since DFA’s 2004 founding by Gov. Howard Dean, DFA members have raised more than $5 million and made more than 8.9 million volunteer calls in successfully electing 802 progressive candidates across the country.
Just last month, Mowrer’s IA-4 race was cited for putting a competitive seat in play and added to the DCCC’s competitive “Emerging Races” list.
Mowrer is DFA’s sixth endorsement for U.S. House in the 2014 cycle. Other DFA-endorsed 2014 house candidates include Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17), Daylin Leach (PA-3), Kelly Westlund (WI-7), Staci Appel (IA-3) and Sharon Sund (MN-3).