In a show of organizational strength, Rita Hart announced today the endorsements of 73 local leaders in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District for her campaign. It included people in all 24 counties across the district and nearly every local Democratic state legislator.
The slew of endorsements is reflective of the deep well of support Hart was within the Democratic Party. She spent six years in the Iowa Senate and was Fred Hubbell’s running mate in 2018, impressing activists and fellow lawmakers during that time. She personally took the initiative on several major policy items, including hosting a statewide water quality summit in her district in 2017. Many Democrats also see Hart’s background as a farmer and former school teacher as fitting the Iowa electorate well.
“As a 20-year veteran educator, Rita Hart understands the difference education makes and will work tirelessly for all Iowa families in Congress,” said former IDP Chair Sue Dvorsky in a press release. “I know Rita will bring the same passion, energy, and commitment to Congress that she showed for her students and Iowa schools every day.
For any Democrat who was also thinking of running and facing Hart in a primary, this list would likely make them think twice. Hart will already start with a great name ID among activists, a serious fundraising advantage, and a good profile that fits the district.
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Here is the full list of endorsements for Hart:
Joan Amos, Former Chair of the Lucas County Democratic Party, Lucas County
Rep. Wes Breckenridge, Iowa House District 29, Jasper County
Sen. Joe Bolkcom, Iowa Senate District 43, Johnson County
Fmr. Sen. Chris Brase, Iowa Senate District 46, Muscatine County
Nancy Camardo, Former Chair of the Wayne County Democratic Party, Wayne County
Nancy Courtney, Des Moines County
Fmr. Sen. Tom Courtney, Iowa Senate District 44, Des Moines County
Sandy Dockendorff, Former Iowa Second District Democratic Committee, Chair
Susie Drish, Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Party, Jefferson County
Cindy Drost, Former County Recorder, Mahaska County
Tom Drost, farmer and businessman, Mahaska County
Fmr. Sen. Bob Dvorsky, Iowa Senate District 37, Johnson County
Sue Dvorsky, Former Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, Johnson County
Jeff Fager, Chair of the Henry County Democratic Party, Henry County
Ann Fields, Chair of the Marion County Democratic Party, Marion County
Sue Frembgen, Former Chair of the Scott County Democratic Party, Scott County
Rep. Mary Gaskill, Iowa House District 81, Wapello County
Bill Gluba, Former Mayor of Davenport, Scott County
Thom Hart, Former Mayor of Davenport, Scott County
Naseem Hesler, Former Mayor of Keosauqua, Van Buren County
Cathy Helman, Henry County
Dave Helman, Former Chair of the Henry County Democratic Party, Henry County
Larry Hodgden, Chair of the Cedar County Democratic Party, Cedar County
Barb Hood, Jefferson County Democratic Party Treasurer, Jefferson County
Rep. Dave Jacoby, Iowa House District 74, Johnson County
Becky Johnson, Former Co-Chair of Appanoose County Democratic Party, Appanoose County
Dr. Thomas Johnson, Former Co-Chair of Appanoose County Democratic Party, Appanoose County
Mark Jondal, Louisa County
Cheryll Jones, Chair of the Davis County Democratic Party, Davis County
Melinda Jones, Vice Chair of the Wapello County Democratic Party, Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee Member, Wapello County
Fmr. Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge, Former LG & Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Monroe County
Sen. Kevin Kinney, Iowa State Senate District 39, Johnson County, Keokuk County, Washington County
Jim Krier, Keokuk County farmer and small businessman, Keokuk County
Mary Krier, Former Keokuk County Chair, Former Keokuk County Supervisor, Keokuk County
Rep. Monica Kurth, Iowa House District 89, Scott County
Eric Van Lancker, Clinton County Auditor, Clinton County
Linda Larkin, Lee County
Rick Larkin, Lee County Supervisor, Lee County
DiAnne Lerud-Chubb, Chair of the Des Moines County Democratic Party, Des Moines County
Rick Lincoln, Clinton County Sheriff, Clinton County
Sen. Jim Lykam, Iowa Senate District 45, Scott County
Janet Lyness, Johnson County Attorney, Johnson County
Henry Marquard, Scott County
Rep. Mary Mascher, Iowa House District 86, Johnson County
Carol McGuire, Clinton County Democratic Party Vice-Chair
Fmr. Rep Phil Miller, Iowa House District 82, Jefferson County
Bill Morain, Decatur County Democratic Party Central Committee, Decatur County
Rep. Amy Nielsen, Iowa House District 77, Johnson County
Eric Palmer, Chair of the Mahaska County Democratic Party, Mahaska County
Molly Regan, Scott County Democratic Party Executive Committee, Scott County
Mary Jo Riesberg, Lee County
Bill Russell, Graceland University, Decatur County
Becky Schmitz, Jefferson County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Jefferson County
Emilyne Slagle, Member of the Scott County Democratic Party Executive Board, Blue Grass City Councilor, Scott County
Michelle Smith, Chair of the Jasper County Democratic Party, Jasper County
Den South, Decatur County
Sharon South, Decatur County
Mary Stewart, Wapello County Democratic Party Secretary, Wapello County
Roger Stutsman, Johnson County
Fmr. Rep. Sally Stusman, Iowa House District 77, Johnson County
Megan Suhr, Member of the Knoxville City Council, Marion County
Annette Taylor, Henry County
Sen. Rich Taylor, Iowa Senate District 42, Henry County, Lee County, Jefferson County, Washington County
Rep. Phyllis Thede, Iowa House District 93, Scott County
Rita Vargas, Scott County Recorder, Scott County
Sen. Zach Wahls, Iowa Senate District 37, Johnson County, Cedar County, Muscatine County
Sally Walker-Jondal, Chair of Louisa County Democratic Party, Louisa County
Carole Waterman, Clarke County
Steve Waterman, Chair of the Clarke County Democratic Party, Clarke County
Janice G. Weiner, First Vice-Chair of the Johnson County Democratic Party, Johnson County
Lorraine Williams, Former Washington County Democratic Party Chair and owner of Café Dodici, Washington County
Rep. Mary Wolfe, Iowa House District 98, Clinton County
Fmr. Rep. and Sen. Frank Wood, Iowa House District 92, Iowa Senate District 42, Scott County
by Pat Rynard
Posted 5/22/19
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