Some of the most prominent Democratic legislators living in Iowa’s first Congressional district have endorsed Cedar Rapids City Council member Monica Vernon, a day after she announced she will run for Congress again in 2016. The group includes lawmakers from the three largest metro areas in IA-01:
Cedar Rapids (State Senators Liz Mathis and Rob Hogg, State Representatives Art Staed, Kirsten Running-Marquardt and Liz Bennett)
Waterloo/Cedar Falls (State Senator Bill Dotzler and State Representative Timi Brown-Powers)
Dubuque (Iowa Senate President Pam Jochum)
Support from Mathis is particularly noteworthy, because many Iowa Democrats encouraged her to run for Congress in 2014. Mathis endorsed Vernon shortly before last year’s five-way primary.
Former State Senator Jack Hatch and several current lawmakers who live outside IA-01 also endorsed Vernon today: State Senators Joe Bolkcom, Bob Dvorsky, and Rich Taylor, and State Representatives Vicki Lensing, Mary Mascher, and Sally Stutsman. All besides Taylor represent parts of Johnson County, which is part of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor.
The full press release from Vernon’s campaign is after the jump. It sends a strong signal to any other Democrats who may be considering this race, including former State Senator Swati Dandekar and Ravi Patel, the president of Hawkeye Hotels.
From Vernon for Congress, January 16
MONICA VERNON ENDORSED BY IOWA DEMOCRATIC LEADERS
Campaign Receives Early Broad-Based Support, Praising “Vernon’s ability to bring people together to solve some of our toughest problems”CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tempore Monica Vernon today announced over a dozen endorsements of leaders across the state in her bid for congress in Iowa’s First Congressional District.
For more information visit: www.monicavernonforcongress.com
“Monica Vernon has the determination and drive to make a real difference in Congress for Northeast Iowa – she’s run a small business, raised three daughters, and been a strong leader for Iowa. I’m so excited to be supporting her for the First Congressional District race in 2016” State Senator Liz Mathis (Linn County) said.
State Senator Rob Hogg (Linn County) followed with, “Monica Vernon will be a wonderful Congresswoman who will work together to make progress for our country. She has been making progress for Cedar Rapids for years, as a mother, as a small businesswoman, and as a city council member.”
“I’m supporting Monica Vernon because she’ll be a leader and strong voice for the working men and women in the district; will advocate for raising the minimum wage; and will protect workers’ and their ability to collectively bargain” said Senator Bill Dotzler (Black Hawk County).
State Senator and President of the Senate, Pam Jochum (Dubuque County) said, “I am thrilled to be supporting Monica Vernon for Congress. In Rod Blum’s first few votes in Congress, he has shown his loyalty to Steve King and the extreme right and has proven he’s out of touch with everyday Iowans. Monica will always put our needs ahead of politics as usual in Washington, D.C.”
Below is the complete list of leaders who are endorsing Monica Vernon today:
State Senator and President of the Senate Pam Jochum
State Senator Liz Mathis
State Senator Rob Hogg
State Senator Bill Dotzler
State Senator Joe Bolkcom
State Senator Bob Dvorsky
State Senator Rich Taylor
Former State Senator Jack Hatch
State Representative Art Staed
State Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt
State Representative Liz Bennett
State Representative Timi Brown-Powers
State Representative Vicki Lensing
State Representative Mary Mascher
State Representative Sally Stutsman
9 Comments
danielson?
I always hear rumors Sen. Danielson wants to run for Congress or Governor. Interesting he didn’t endorse.
natewithglasses Fri 16 Jan 10:57 AM
my impression
is that he plans to run for re-election in Iowa Senate district 30 in 2016, but I will seek to confirm that.
desmoinesdem Mon 19 Jan 2:32 PM
he supported Anesa Kajtazovic
in the 2014 primary, so the fact that he didn’t endorse may mean he has another preferred candidate, not necessarily himself.
desmoinesdem Mon 19 Jan 2:33 PM
Mathis
I always thought (and hoped) since the midterms that Liz Mathis would come to the rescue in 2016 as a strong candidate in IA-01. Obviously, it would appear now that she’s not going to seek that office. I’m wondering if she’s angling for a statewide office in 2018?
jhughes6297 Fri 16 Jan 2:39 PM
many believe
she will consider running for governor in 2018. So will Pam Jochum and Janet Petersen. I doubt they would all run against each other in a primary. Will be interesting to watch.
desmoinesdem Mon 19 Jan 2:34 PM
Just FYI
A different take on Monica Vernon. http://downwithtyranny.blogspo…
Is DWT right? I hope not.
2laneia Sat 17 Jan 4:32 PM
let's give her a chance
to articulate what she stands for before we write her off as a corporate conservative.
Is she probably less progressive than Pat Murphy? Yes.
desmoinesdem Mon 19 Jan 2:37 PM
Patel
Doesn’t Ravi actually have more ties to Iowa City and Burlington? I know IA-1 is where the action is now, and he has business ties in Cedar Rapids, but would his candidacy just be a product of the fact that Dave Loebsack occupies IA-2.
moderateiadem Sat 17 Jan 4:51 PM
I don't know a lot about him
but a quick look at his background suggests that he has stronger ties in Iowa City, yes.
Very young candidates for Congress don’t have a great track record in competitive Iowa primaries.
desmoinesdem Mon 19 Jan 2:35 PM